ABSTRACT
Forensic taphonomy is an applied science with clear aims: Use the processes associated with cadaver decomposition to estimate postmortem or postburial interval, determine cause and manner of death, locate clandestine graves, and identify the deceased (Haglund 2005; Haglund and Sorg 1997). Forensic taphonomy derives these aims from taphonomy, a branch of palaeontology (Efremov 1940). Taphonomy was developed to understand the ecology of a decomposition site, how site ecology changes on the introduction of plant or
2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 29 2.2 Cadavers: Composition and Decomposition ...........................................31 2.3 The Formation of a Cadaver Decomposition Island ............................. 33
2.3.1 Fresh and Bloated Cadavers ......................................................... 35 2.3.2 Active Decay ................................................................................... 35 2.3.3 Advanced Decay, Dry, and Remains ........................................... 36
2.4 Factors Influencing Cadaver Decomposition ......................................... 38 2.4.1 Aboveground Decomposition ...................................................... 38
2.4.1.1 Temperature.................................................................... 38 2.4.1.2 Moisture .......................................................................... 39 2.4.1.3 Trauma ............................................................................ 40 2.4.1.4 Associated Materials ..................................................... 40
2.4.2 Belowground Decomposition ...................................................... 40 2.4.2.1 Temperature ................................................................... 40 2.4.2.2 Moisture and Soil Texture ........................................... 41 2.4.2.3 Soil pH ............................................................................ 42 2.4.2.4 Associated Materials ..................................................... 43 2.4.2.5 Decomposer Adaptation .............................................. 43
2.5 Concluding Remarks ................................................................................. 44 References .............................................................................................................. 45
animal remains, and, in turn, how site ecology affects the decomposition of these materials (ibid.). Thus, the goals of forensic taphonomy are achieved through the ecology of cadaver decomposition. To date, several cadaver decomposition studies have been conducted in terrestrial ecosystems. In response to the myriad locations a cadaver can be deposited following death, these studies have been conducted inside structures (e.g., buildings, cars) (Galloway 1997; Galloway et al. 1989; Mann, Bass, and Meadows 1990), on the soil surface (Davis and Goff 2000; Rodriguez and Bass 1983; Vass et al. 1992), and following burial in soil (Mant 1950; Morovic-Budak 1965; Rodriguez and Bass 1985; VanLaerhoven and Anderson 1999). Thus far, the majority of these studies have focused on the activity of aboveground insects (Kocárek 2003; Motter 1898; Payne 1965; Reed 1958; VanLaerhoven and Anderson 1999) and scavengers (Berryman 2002; DeVault, Brisbin, and Rhodes 2003; DeVault, Rhodes, and Shivik 2004; Galdikas 1978; Haglund 1997; Willey and Snyder 1989) whereas less attention has been given to the processes that occur in soils associated with cadaver breakdown (gravesoils) (Carter and Tibbett 2003, 2006; Hopkins, Wiltshire, and Turner 2000; Putman 1978a; Sagara 1995; Tibbett et al. 2004; Vass et al. 1992). As a consequence, the relationship between cadaver decomposition and soil is poorly understood.
