Dynamics of Ninhydrin‐Reactive Nitrogen and pH in Gravesoil During the Extended Postmortem Interval

Estimating the postmortem interval of skeletal remains is difficult, as few tools exist to do so. To address this problem, we conducted a field experiment to measure the chemistry of swine ( S us scrofa domesticus L innaeus) gravesoil after 1 year and 3 years postmortem. Carcasses were placed on the soil surface of a pasture during J une in a cold ( D fa) climate. Significant ( p  < 0.05) increases in ninhydrin‐reactive nitrogen, pH , total nitrogen, and nitrate in gravesoil were detected 1 year postmortem. Significant differences in gravesoil chemistry were not detected 3 years postmortem. These observations coincided with gaps in plant growth 1 year postmortem and the development of lush vegetation 3 years postmortem. We conclude that these phenomena can be used to assist the decision‐making process regarding the allocation of resources during the early stages of a death investigation.