Forensic Taphonomy

Learning Objectives

The course aims to offer a broad understanding of the processes that affect the body following death and to highlight their forensic significance as source of information and as evidence. The recording, analysis and interpretation of taphonomic processes play an essential role to meaningful forensic interpretation of the circumstances of death when human remains are discovered. The estimation of post-mortem interval and the reconstruction of the death event are heavily relying on the knowledge of early and late post-mortem changes, the effect of scavenging and the effect of fire on the human body. The course introduces factors affecting decomposition and putrefaction of soft tissue, the importance of entomology, botany palynology, marine biology and soil analysis. Recovery of human remains from different environments is also covered. Students will be trained in the labs and will be exposed in material from real forensic cases.

This course will offer students a profound understanding of :

• the process and timing of decomposition and putrefaction of a human body
• the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that cause post mortem changes in a dead body
• the effect of burial practices and different environments on bodies found on surface, buried or emerged on water
• the role of entomology, botany and marine biology in the reconstruction of the burial environment and the assessment of the post mortem interval
• the contribution of soil analysis in forensic investigations
•  the opportunities for taphonomic research on dedicated taphonomic research facilities that study human decomposition in relation to a variety of factors

Active student participation in, and contribution to, the learning process, is encouraged at all stages. Great emphasis is placed on self-directed reading and research, although course tutors are available for consultation when required.

Lectures

1. Introduction to Forensic Taphonomy
2. Early post mortem changes
3. Late post mortem changes
4. Forensic Entomology, Botany and Marine Biology
5. Post mortem scavenging and environmental influences on human remains
6. Effects of fire on the human skeleton
7. Forensic archaeology surface recovery and excavation protocol
8. Taphonomy research in “body farms”: history and current status
9. Forensic Soil Analysis
10. Forensic applications of isotopic analysis

Seminars/Practical training

• The application of omics and spectroscopic methods for PMI estimation/cause of death
• Forensic recovery
• Forensic entomology
• PMI estimation challenges-Real time cases

Recommended Bibliography

Boddington, A., Garland, A.N. & Janaway, R.C. (eds.). 1987. Death, Decay and Reconstruction: Approaches to Archaeology and Forensic Science. Manchester University Press.

Byrd J.H. & Castner J.L. (eds.) 2012. Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations, Second Edition. Boca Raton. CRC Press.

Hagland, W. D. & Sorg, M. H. 1997. Forensic Taphonomy: the Postmortem Fate of Human Remains. Boca Raton. CRC Press.

Hagland, W. D. & Sorg, M. H. 2002. Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological Perspectives. Boca Raton. CRC Press.

Hunter, J.R., Roberts, C.A. and Martin, A., 1996 Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology, London, Batsford.

Hunter, J.R and Cox, M., 2005 Advances in Forensic Archaeology, CRC Press Boca Raton.

Janaway, R.C. 1996. The decay of buried human remains. In, Hunter, J., C. Roberts & A. Martin, 1996. Studies in Crime: An Introduction to Forensic Archaeology. Routledge. London.

Pokines J.T. & Symes S.A. (eds.) 2013. Manual of Forensic Taphonomy. Boca Raton. CRC Press.

Ritz, K., Dawson, L.A. & Miller, D.R. (eds.).2009 Criminal and Environmental Forensics. Springer, Dordrecht

Schmidt CW, Steve A, Symes SA (eds.) 2008. The Analysis of Burned Human Remains. New York, Elsevier Press.

Tibbett,M & Carter, D.O. (eds.). 2007. Soil analysis in Forensic Taphonomy: Chemical and Biological effects CRC Press, 2007