Volume 55, Issue 2 pp. 295-301

The Influence of Penetrative Trauma on the Rate of Decomposition^{* †}

Peter Cross M.Sc.,

Peter Cross M.Sc.

School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.

Search for more papers by this author

Tal Simmons Ph.D.,

Tal Simmons Ph.D.

School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.

Search for more papers by this author

Peter Cross M.Sc.,

Peter Cross M.Sc.

School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.

Search for more papers by this author

Tal Simmons Ph.D.,

Tal Simmons Ph.D.

School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 01 March 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01277.x

Citations: 77

Additional information and reprint requests:
Peter Cross, M.Sc.
School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences
University of Central Lancashire
Maudland Building
Preston PR1 2HE
UK
E-mail: [email protected]

Presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 18–23, 2008, in Washington, DC.

^†

Partially funded by Dr. Lee Chatfield, School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

Share a link

Email
Wechat
Bluesky

Abstract

Abstract: An understanding of the factors affecting decomposition is important for the accurate estimation of postmortem interval. An experimental study on the influence of penetrating trauma on decomposition rate was carried out using the domestic pig, Sus scrofa. The results of this study were: (i) Diptera were preferentially attracted to and oviposited at natural orifices. Trauma sites were not preferentially selected for oviposition; (ii) no differences between trauma and non-trauma groups were found in time to skeletonization, weight loss (p = 0.906), total body score (p = 0.824), body temperature (p = 0.967), or changes in soil pH (p = 0.684); and (iii) the effect of investigator disturbance was significant when decomposition was measured as weight loss (p = 0.000). This study suggests that penetrating trauma of the type used in this study cannot be considered a major factor in the rate of decomposition and time to skeletonization of a gunshot trauma victim.

References

1 Mann 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
2 Megyesi 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
3 Campobasso CP, Di Vella G, Introna F. Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonisation. Forensic Sci Int 2001; 2: 18–27.
10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00411-X
Web of Science® Google Scholar
4 Gill-King H. Chemical and ultrastructural aspects of decomposition. In: WD Haglund, MH Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 93–108.
Google Scholar
5 Micozzi MS. Postmortem change in human and animal remains: a systematic approach. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1991.
Google Scholar
6 Simmons T, Adlam R, Moffatt C. Debugging decomposition data— comparative taphonomic studies and the influence of insects and carcass size on decomposition rate. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55: 8–13.
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01206.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
7 Rodriguez WC, Bass WM. Insect activity and its relationship to decay rates of human cadavers in east Tennessee. J Forensic Sci 1983; 28(2): 423–32.
10.1520/JFS11524J
Web of Science® Google Scholar
8 Bass WM. Outdoor decomposition rates in Tennessee. In: WD Haglund, MH Sorg, editors. Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997; 181–6.
Google Scholar
9 Shean 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
10 Ashworth JR, Wall R. Responses of the sheep blowflies Lucilia sericata and L. cuprina to odour and the development of semiochemical baits. Med Vet Entomol 1994; 8: 303–9.
10.1111/j.1365-2915.1994.tb00093.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
11 Schroeder H, Klotzbach H, Oesterhelweg L, Puschel K. Larder beetles (Coleoptera Dermestidae) as an accelerating factor for the decomposition of a human corpse. Forensic Sci Int 2002; 3: 231–6.
10.1016/S0379-0738(02)00131-7
Web of Science® Google Scholar
12 Vass 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
13 Breitmeier D, Graefe-Kirci U, Albrecht K, Weber M, Troger HD, Kleeman WJ. Evaluation of the correlation between time corpses spent in in-ground graves and finding at exhumation. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 152: 218–23.
10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.11.018
Web of Science® Google Scholar
14 Kelly JA. The influence of clothing, wrapping and physical trauma on carcass decomposition and arthropod succession [ PhD Thesis]. Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa, 2006.
Google Scholar
15 Catts EP, Goff ML. Forensic entomology in criminal investigations. Annu Rev Entomol 1992; 37: 253–72.
10.1146/annurev.en.37.010192.001345
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
16 Adlam 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
17 Meteorological Office, http://www.metoffice.org, 2007 (accessed August 2007).
Google Scholar
18 Harde KW, Severa F. A field guide in colour to beetles. Blitz editions. Prague, Czech Republic: Aventinum Publishing House, 1998.
Google Scholar
19 Etzinglioglu Z. Blowflies, naturalists handbook 23. Slough, UK: Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd., 1996.
Google Scholar
20 Anderson GS, Cervenka VJ. Insects associated with the body: their use and analyses. In: WD Haglund, MH Sorg, editors. Advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory and archaeological perspectives. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2002; 173–200.
Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume55, Issue2

March 2010

Pages 295-301

The Influence of Penetrative Trauma on the Rate of Decomposition^{* †}

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

The Influence of Penetrative Trauma on the Rate of Decomposition* †

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information

The Influence of Penetrative Trauma on the Rate of Decomposition^{* †}