Paper

The Effects of Sharp-Force Thoracic Trauma on the Rate and Pattern of Decomposition^†

Corresponding Author

Ashley C. Smith M.Sc.

Program in Forensic Anthropology, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-1004 Boston, MA

Additional information and reprint requests:

Ashley C. Smith, M.Sc.

6761 Goswell Court

Germantown, TN 38138

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Ashley C. Smith M.Sc.,

Corresponding Author

Ashley C. Smith M.Sc.

Program in Forensic Anthropology, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-1004 Boston, MA

Additional information and reprint requests:

Ashley C. Smith, M.Sc.

6761 Goswell Court

Germantown, TN 38138

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 25 November 2013

https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12338

Citations: 15

^†

Funded by the Program in Forensic Anthropology, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine.

Share a link

Email
Wechat
Bluesky

Abstract

Given the multiple factors that may alter the rate of decomposition, one of the more difficult tasks that anthropologists and pathologists face is determining of the postmortem interval (PMI). While trauma has been widely accepted as being among those factors, recent published studies have contradicted this premise. However, major issues exist with these studies. Consequently, this study was designed to simulate a more realistic setting in an effort to settle this discrepancy in the literature. This study utilized eight porcine remains; three of which received incised wounds penetrating the thoracic cavity, three others received nonpenetrating wounds, and two were designated nontrauma controls. Measurements included evaluating the total body score (TBS) on temporal and accumulated degree days (ADD). Using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, the results of this study found that while trauma does have an influence in the pattern of decomposition, it does not influence the rate of decomposition.

References

1Mann RW, Bass WM, Meadows L. Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. J Forensic Sci 1990; 35(1): 103–11.
10.1520/JFS12806J
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
2Komar DA, Buikstra JE. Forensic anthropology: contemporary theory and practice. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Google Scholar
3Sledzik P. Forensic taphonomy: postmortem decomposition and decay. In: K Reichs, editor. Forensic osteology: advances in the identification of human remains. Springfiled, IL: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd, 1998; 109–19.
Google Scholar
4Rhine S, Dawson JE. Estimation of time since death in the southwestern United States. In: K Reichs, editor. Forensic osteology: advances in the identification of human remains, 2nd edn. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd, 1998; 145–59.
Google Scholar
5Grivas CR, Komar DA. Kumho, Daubert, and the nature of scientific inquiry: implications for forensic anthropology. J Forensic Sci 2008; 53(4): 771–6.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00771.x
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
6Christensen AM. The impact of Daubert: implications for testimony and research in forensic anthropology (and the use of frontal sinuses in personal identification). J Forensic Sci 2004; 49(3): 427–30.
10.1520/JFS2003185
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
7Kelly JA. The influence of clothing, wrapping and physical trauma on carcass decomposition and arthropod succession in central South Africa [dissertation]. Bloemfontein, South Africa: University of the Free State, 2006.
Google Scholar
8Cross P, Simmons T. The influence of penetrative trauma on the rate of decomposition. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55(2): 295–301.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01277.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
9Breitmeier D, Graefe-Kirci U, Albrecht K, Weber M, Tröger HD, Kleemann WJ. Evaluation of the correlation between time corpses spent in in-ground graves and findings at exhumation. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 154: 218–23.
10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.11.018
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
10Smith AC. The effect of sharp-force throracic trauma on the rate and pattern of decomposition in New England [M.S. thesis]. Boston, MA: Boston University, 2012.
Google Scholar
11Micozzi MS. Experimental study of postmortem change under field conditions: effects of freezing, thawing, and mechanical injury. J Forensic Sci 1986; 31(3): 953–61.
10.1520/JFS11103J
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
12Micozzi MS. Postmortem change in human and animal remains: a systematic approach. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd, 1991.
Google Scholar
13Micozzi MS. Frozen environments and soft tissue preservation. In: W Haglund, M Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 171–80.
Google Scholar
14Campobasso CP, Di Vella G, Introna F. Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Sci Int 2001; 120: 18–27.
10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00411-X
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
15Clark MA, Worrell MB, Pless JE. Postmortem changes in soft tissues. In: W Haglund, M Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 151–65.
Google Scholar
16Bass WM. Outdoor decomposition rates in Tennessee. In: W Haglund, M Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 181–6.
Google Scholar
17Vass AA, Bass WM, Wolt JD, Foss JE, Ammons JT. Time since death determinations of human cadavers using soil solution. J Forensic Sci 1992; 37(5): 1236–53.
10.1520/JFS13311J
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
18Byers SN. Introduction to forensic anthropology, 4th edn. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2011.
Google Scholar
19Shean BS, Messinger L, Papworth M. Observations of differential decomposition on sun exposed v. shaded pig carrion in coastal Washington State. J Forensic Sci 1993; 38(4): 938–49.
10.1520/JFS13492J
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
20Kelly JA, van der Linde TC, Anderson GS. The influence of clothing and wrapping on carcass decomposition and arthropod succession during the warmer seasons in central South Africa. J Forensic Sci 2009; 54(5): 1105–12.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01113.x
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
21Megyesi MS, Nawrocki SP, Haskell NH. Using accumulated degree-days to estimate the postmortem interval from decomposed human remains. J Forensic Sci 2005; 50(3): 618–26.
10.1520/JFS2004017
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
22Burton JF. Fallacies in the signs of death. J Forensic Sci 1974; 19(3): 529–34.
10.1520/JFS10207J
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
23Adlam RE, Simmons T. The effect of repeated physical disturbance on soft tissue decomposition – are taphonomic studies an accurate reflection of decomposition? J Forensic Sci 2007; 52(5): 1007–14.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00510.x
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
24Galloway A. The process of decomposition: a model from the Arizona-Sonoran desert. In: W Haglund, M Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 139–50.
Google Scholar
26Payne JA. A summer carrion study of the baby pig Sus scrofa Linnaeus. Ecology 1965; 46(5): 592–602.
10.2307/1934999
Web of Science® Google Scholar
27Spicka A, Johnson R, Bushing J, Higley LG, Carter DO. Carcass mass can influence rate of decomposition and release of ninhydrin-reactive nitrogen into gravesoil. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 209: 80–5.
10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.01.002
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
28Simmons T, Adlam RE, Moffatt C. Debugging decomposition data: comparative taphonomic studies and the influence of insects and carcass size on decomposition rate. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55(1): 8–13.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01206.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
29Nagano M, Suzuki S. Effects of carcass size and male presence on clutch size in Nicrophorus quadripunctatus (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Entomol Sci 2007; 10(3): 245–8.
10.1111/j.1479-8298.2007.00220.x
Web of Science® Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume59, Issue2

March 2014

Pages 319-326

The Effects of Sharp-Force Thoracic Trauma on the Rate and Pattern of Decomposition^†

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

The Effects of Sharp-Force Thoracic Trauma on the Rate and Pattern of Decomposition†

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information

The Effects of Sharp-Force Thoracic Trauma on the Rate and Pattern of Decomposition^†