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Differential Scavenging Among Pig, Rabbit, and Human Subjects ,
Author(s) -
Steadman Dawnie Wolfe,
Dautartas Angela,
Kenyhercz Michael W.,
Jantz Lee M.,
Mundorff Amy,
Vidoli Giovanna M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13786
Subject(s) - carrion , scavenger , scavenging , decomposition , differential effects , free radical scavenger , zoology , vertebrate , ecology , biology , biochemistry , antioxidant , endocrinology , gene
Different animal species have been used as proxies for human remains in decomposition studies for decades, although few studies have sought to validate their use in research aimed at estimating the postmortem interval. This study examines 45 pig, rabbit, and human subjects placed in three seasonal trials at the Anthropology Research Facility. In an earlier paper, we found that overall decomposition trends did vary between species that could be due to differential insect and scavenger behavior. This study specifically examines if scavenger behavior differs by carrion species. Daily photographs, game camera photographs, written observations, and Total Body Score ( TBS ) documented scavenging and decomposition changes. Results show that raccoons were the most commonly observed vertebrate scavenger, that scavenging was most extensive in winter, and that certain human subjects were preferred over other humans and all non‐human subjects. Finally, scavenging activity greatly reduces the accuracy of postmortem interval estimates based on TBS .