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Timing and Appearance of Postmortem Root Banding in Nonhuman Mammals ,
Author(s) -
Richard Adam H.,
Hietpas Jack,
Buscaglia JoAnn,
Monson Keith L.
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1111/1556-4029.13810
Subject(s) - mammal , biology , postmortem changes , volatilisation , zoology , ecology , anatomy , pathology , chemistry , medicine , organic chemistry
A study was undertaken using nonhuman mammal specimens to better understand environmental influences on postmortem hair root band ( PMRB ) formation and to see whether PMRB s would occur in nonhuman mammal hairs in a similar fashion to human hairs. Carcasses from surrounding roadways were the primary source of specimens for this study, augmented by donated deceased domestic pets. Sections of pelt from each specimen were placed in controlled environmental conditions while the remainder of the carcass was left in a secure outdoor setting. Hair samples were collected daily from outdoor and control specimens and examined for evidence of PMRB s. Several environmental factors were also recorded on a daily basis. Results demonstrate PMRB s can occur in nonhuman mammal hairs, and they have microscopic characteristics similar to human PMRB s. Factors found to correlate with PMRB formation include postmortem interval, temperature, pH , and the formation and subsequent volatilization of ammonia from the surrounding tissue.