Influence of Preburial Insect Access on the Decomposition Rate

• NCJ Number: 231630
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 893-900
• Author(s): Jutta Bachmann, M.D., M.Sc.; Tal Simmons, Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared total body score (TBS) in buried remains (35 cm depth) with and without insect access prior to burial.

Abstract

Sixty rabbit carcasses were exhumed at 50 accumulated degree day (ADD) intervals. Weight loss, TBS, intra-abdominal decomposition, carcass/soil interface temperature, and below-carcass soil pH were recorded and analyzed. Results showed significant differences (p less than 0.001) in decomposition rates between carcasses with and without insect access prior to burial. An approximately 30-percent enhanced decomposition rate with insects was observed. TBS was the most valid tool in postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. All other variables showed only weak relationships to decomposition stages, adding little value to PMI estimation. Although progress in estimating the PMI for surface remains has been made, no previous studies have accomplished this for buried remains. This study builds a framework to which further comparable studies can contribute to produce predictive models for PMI estimation in buried human remains. (Published Abstract)