1st Edition

Forensic Taphonomy The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains

Edited By Marcella H. Sorg, William D. Haglund Copyright 1997
    668 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and paleontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). Forensic Taphonomy explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonomic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Review articles, case reports, and chapters on methodology round out this book's unique approach to forensic science.

    Foreword, J.H. Davis
    Preface, G. Haynes

    INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC TAPHONOMY, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

    Taphonomy in the Forensic Context
    Method and Theory of Taphonomic Research, W.D. Haglund and M.H. Sorg
    Context Delicti: Archaeological Context in Forensic Work, D.D. Scott and M. Connor
    The Role of Archaeology in the Recovery and Interpretation of Human Remains from an Outdoor Forensic Setting, D.C. Dirkmaat and J.M. Adavasio
    Chain of Custody from the Field to the Courtroom, J. Melbye and S.B. Jimenez
    Taphonomic Applications in Forensic Anthropology, D.H. Ubelaker

    MODIFICATIONS OF SOFT TISSUE, BONE, AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

    Chemical Underpinnings
    Chemical and Ultrastructural Aspects of Decomposition, H. Gill-King
    Preservation and Recovery of DNA in Postmortem Specimens and Trace Samples, T.J. Parsons and V.W. Weedn

    Soft Tissue
    The Process of Decomposition: A Model from the Arizona-Sonoran Desert, A. Galloway
    Postmortem Changes in Soft Tissue, M.A. Clark, M.B. Worrell, and J.E. Pless
    Recognition of Cemetery Remains in the Forensic Setting, H.E. Berryman, W.M. Bass, S.A. Symes, and O.T. Smith
    Frozen Environments and Soft Tissue Preservation, M.S. Micozzi
    Outdoor Decomposition Rates in Tennessee, W.M. Bass, III

    Bone
    Microscopic Structure of Bone, M. Schultz
    Microscopic Investigation of Excavated Skeletal Remains: A Contribution to Paleopathology and Forensic Medicine, M. Schultz
    A Critical Evaluation of Bone Weathering as an Indication of Bone Assemblage Formation, L.R. Lyman and G.L. Fox
    Eskimo Skeleton Taphonomy with Identification of Possible Polar Bear Victims, C.F. Merbs
    Human Variables in the Postmortem Alteration of Human Bone: Examples from U.S. War Casualties, T.D. Holland, B.E. Anderson, and R.W. Mann
    Fire Modification of Bone: A Review of the Literature, P.M. Mayne Correia
    Human Bone Mineral Densities and Survival of Bone Elements: A Contemporary Sample, A. Galloway, P. Willey, and L. Snyder
    Cranial Bone Displacement as a Taphonomic Process in Potential Child Abuse Cases, T.A.J. Crist, A. Washburn, H. Park, I. Hood, and M.A. Hickey

    Associated Materials
    Biodegradation of Hair and Fibers, W.F. Rowe
    Forensic Botany, D. Hall

    SCAVENGED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

    Carnivore Scavenged Remains
    Dogs and Coyotes: Postmortem Involvement with Human Remains, W.D. Haglund
    Scattered Skeletal Remains: Search Strategy Considerations for Locating Missing Teeth, W.D. Haglund
    The Utilization of Faunal Evidence in the Recovery of Human Remains, T.A. Murad

    Rodent Scavenged Remains
    Rodents and Human Remains, W.D. Haglund

    Scavenging by Insects
    On the Body: Insects' Life Stage Presence, Their Postmortem Artifacts, and Entomological Collecting Procedures, N.H. Haskell, V.J. Cervenka, and M.A. Clark

    Scavenging by Water Organisms
    Human Remains Recovered from a Shark's Stomach in South Carolina, T.A. Rathbun and B.C. Rathbun

    BURIED AND PROTECTED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

    Decomposition
    Decomposition of Buried and Submerged Bodies, W.C. Rodriguez III
    Decomposition Rates of Deliberate Burials: A Case Study of Preservation, M.H. Manheim
    Autopsied, Embalmed, and Preserved Human Remains: Distinguishing Features in Forensic and Historic Contexts, P.S. Sledzik and M.S. Micozzi
    Necrosearch Revisited: Further Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Detection of Clandestine Graves, D.L. France, T.J. Griffin, J.G. Swanburg, J.W. Lindemann, G.C. Davenport, V. Trammell, C.T. Travis, B. Kondratieff, A. Nelson, K. Castellano, D. Hopkins, and T. Adair
    Preservation in Late 19th Century Iron Coffin Burials, D.W. Owsley and B.E. Compton

    REMAINS IN WATER: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

    Riverine Environments
    Fluvial Transport of Human Crania, S.P. Nawrocki, J.E. Pless, D.A. Hawley, and S.A. Wagner
    The Taphonomic Effects of Flood Waters on Bone, S. Brooks and R.H. Brooks

    Lacustrine Environments
    Movement of Bodies in Lake Ontario, Tyler G. O'Brien

    Marine Environments
    Forensic Taphonomy in Marine Contexts, M.H. Sorg, J.H. Dearborn, E.I. Monahan, H.F. Ryan, K.G. Sweeney, and E. David
    Human Aquatic Taphonomy in the Monterey Bay Area, S. Boyle, A. Galloway, and R.T. Mason
    Burials at Sea, M.R. London, J.F. Krolikowski, and J.H. Davis

    CONCLUSIONS AND OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG
    Afterword, C.C. Snow

    Biography

    Marcella H. Sorg, William D. Haglund

    "The contents of this volume are certainly appealing to those studying and practicing forensic pathology, with suggestions for further study. … Forensic investigators will of course find this text of use in their 'forensic education'. … I would recommend that anyone studying forensic science courses read this book, and contemplate how the principles can be applied … ."
    - www.forensicmed.co.uk


    "The value of this book can be appreciated instantly simply by noting the names of the contributors. They are the leaders in their fields. The subjects are covered extensively, the discussions of actual cases are handled without undue "war storying," and the field of forensic taphonomy receives its first extensive and in-depth treatment. The volume will surely stand the test of time and will be a ready resource for a variety of professionals whose dealings are with the dead."
    -SCIENTIFIC SLEUTHING REVIEW

    "This book contains much information about taphonomic processes and the investigation of crime…details decomposition processes, animal and insect activity, and environmental changes."
    -C.M. Milroy, Reviews