William D. Haglund

Advances in Forensic Taphonomy : Method, Theory, and Archaeological Perspectives

advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and the taphonomic approach within paleontology, archaeology, and paleoanthropology continues to produce advances in understanding postmortem biochemical and morphological transformations. conversely, advances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the attention of scientists who study the historic and prehistoric past. advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and archaeological perspectives william d. haglund advances in forensic taphonomy | method, theory, and the taphonomic approach within paleontology, archaeology, and paleoanthropology continues to produce advances in understanding postmortem biochemical and morphological transformations. conversely, advances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the attention of scie advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and archaeological perspectives. the taphonomic approach within paleontology, archaeology, and paleoanthropology continues to produce advances in understanding postmortem biochemical and morphological transformations. conversely, advances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the attention of scientists who study the historic and prehistoric past. advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and archaeological perspectives. by. william d. haglund (editor) 4.38 · rating details · 13 ratings · 0 reviews. the taphonomic approach within paleontology, archaeology, and paleoanthropology continues to produce advances in understanding postmortem biochemical and morphological transformations. conversely, advances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the full e-book advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory conversely, a vances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the attention of scientists who study the historic and prehistoric pasting on the success of forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains, advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and archaeological perspectives presents new and updated techniques. advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory and forensic taphonomy is an international endeavour which includes collecting the evidence in crime scene and interpretation of dead cases. forensic taphonomy is often linked with ecological aspect forensic taphonomy haglund pdf berkeley pdf advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and archaeological perspectives corinna barriento marked it as to-read jul 15, amazon second chance pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life. review articles, case reports, and chapters on methodology round out this book’s unique approach to forensic science. advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory, and this comprehensive text takes an interdisciplinary and international

Canid Scavenging/Disarticulation Sequence of Human Remains in the Pacific Northwest

Greater understanding of animal scavenging of human remains can assist forensic science investigators in locating and recovering dispersed skeletal elements, in recognizing damage produced by scavengers, and in making more informed estimates of the postmortem interval. The pattern of skeletal damage can indicate whether the body was scavenged while intact or at some time after other natural processes of disarticulation had begun. This study analyzed thirty partially to fully skeletonized human remains with respect to scavenging at the time of body discovery in order to determine if a patterned consumption sequence existed. The scavengers were primarily coyotes (Canis latrans) and domestic dogs (C. familiaris). Sixteen non-carnivore-scavenged remains were also examined and contrasted with the carnivore-scavenged sample. Observed postmortem intervals from death to recovery ranged from 4 h to 52 months. Results demonstrate that canid scavenging of human remains takes place in sequential stages: Stage 0 = no bony involvement; Stage 1 = ventral thorax damaged and one or both extremities removed; Stage 2 = lower extremity involvement; Stage 3 = only vertebral segments remain articulated; and Stage 4 = total disarticulation. Results revealed a clear correspondence between stages of disarticulation and the postmortem interval.

Tooth Mark Artifacts and Survival of Bones in Animal Scavenged Human Skeletons

Animal scavenging activity can result in production of tooth mark artifacts. Such activity can confound interpretation of skeletal material and the identification process. To date, these topics have received limited attention in the forensic science literature. This study discusses the nature of various animal tooth mark artifacts and typical damage to selected bony elements. This study also assesses survivability of various skeletal elements over time. Two major factors that affect which bones are recovered and the amount of damage are circumstances which shelter remains from animals and human population density of the area where the skeleton is recovered.

Disappearance of soft tissue and the disarticulation of human remains from aqueous environments.

Human remains recovered from aquatic environments were scored for regional presence of soft tissue, exposure of bone, and loss of body parts to determine the general pattern of soft tissue loss and loss of body parts. Regions scored were: the cranium, mandible, neck, hands, forearms, upper arms, feet, legs, pelvic girdle, and trunk. Initial disappearance of soft tissue, resulting in exposure of underlying bones, occurred in areas thinly overlain by soft tissue beginning with the head, hands, and anterior lower legs. Disappearance of body parts followed the general sequence: bones of the hands and wrists, bones of the feet and ankles, and the mandible and cranium. The lower legs, forearms, and upper arms are the next units to separate from the body. Known postmortem intervals for remains analyzed ranged from weeks to years and could not reliably be estimated based on the condition of the body at the time of recovery. As parts drop away from a floating carcass in large or current-driven bodies of water, they are often separated from the major body unit. This complicates recovery. Knowledge of disarticulation sequences allows more informed assessment of skeletal element recoveries to be expected and assists in the interpretation of artifacts and events produced by different disarticulating environments.

Contribution of Rodents to Postmortem Artifacts of Bone and Soft Tissue

Postmortem disturbance of human remains by rodents extends beyond production of characteristic tooth mark artifacts in dry bones. Three case examples are presented that demonstrate a spectrum of rodent damage to dry and fresh bone and to fresh and mummified soft tissue. In one case, human remains are used for nesting purposes. Rodents are also noted to be vectors of bone transport. Rodent activities can affect bone recovery, human identification, and interpretation of artifacts to bone and soft tissue. Guidelines to differentiate soft tissue artifacts caused by rodents and carnivores are suggested.

The Scope of Anthropological Contributions to Human Rights Investigations

This paper examines the participation of anthropologists in international human rights investigations between 1990 and 1999 by surveying four of the most active organizations, including the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, Physicians for Human Rights and the U.N.-sponsored International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The education level, sex, nationality and primary role of the anthropological members of each team are quantified, as are the types of projects in which they contributed. The results show that 134 anthropologists from 22 nations investigated nearly 1300 sites in 33 countries during the study period. While involvement is not limited to those with advanced degrees and few obstacles are placed before anthropologists who wish to participate, full-time service within these organizations is rare and those interested in a career in forensic anthropology and human rights should understand the employment limitations.

Use of facial approximation techniques in identification of Green River serial murder victims

Since 1982, the remains of 41 victims of the Green River Serial Murderer have been recovered. The majority were discovered as skeletal remains, and 24 facial approximations have been used in attempts to develop leads for identification of nine of these victims. Nine different artists were used. Interpretations of the same victim varied greatly. For those victims subsequently identified, resemblance of the facial approximation to the deceased showed considerable variation, but in some cases was quite accurate. This experience created a unique opportunity to compare different methods of facial approximation techniques and artists, and to comment on their efficacy in aiding identification.

Recovery of decomposed and skeletal human remains in the "Green River Murder" Investigation. Implications for medical examiner/coroner and police.

The Green River Murder Investigation in King County, Washington, is currently the longest active serial murder investigation in U.S. history. During its course, over 26 separate scenes with from one to five victims each have been processed. The experience of the authors is presented in order to acquaint other agencies with techniques of outdoor scene processing that have evolved during recovery of remains from Green River and other skeletal cases.

Identification of Serial Homicide Victims in the “Green River Murder” Investigation

The Green River Murder Investigation in King County, Washington, is currently the longest and most active serial murder investigation in U.S. history. To date, little information has been reported on methods used in identification of serial murder victims. In this paper, various methods used in victim identification are reviewed and difficulties encountered during the course of the investigation are described. The experience of the authors is presented in order to acquaint other agencies with problems of victim identification associated with these serial murder victims and to provide key methods that may be useful in other such investigations.

Processing of skeletal remains. A medical examiner's perspective.

A multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of skeletal remains is presented. Guidelines for recovery, documentation, examination, processing, storage, and release of skeletal material are offered and discussed.