Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments

Stuart, Barbara H.; Ueland, Maiken

doi:10.1002/9781118953358.ch9

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The depositional environment encompasses environmental parameters like temperature and soil chemistry, that can influence the decomposition process 80 . Further, the amount of oxygen available in the soil based on soil type, can influence the rate of decomposition and even the structure of the microbiological environment 81 . As such, if buried carcasses experience lower temperatures and different environmental conditions from contact with the soil, differentiating buried and exposed taphonomic studies, especially in the context of PMI estimation, becomes important 30 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing forensically important insect and microbial community colonization patterns in buried remains

Iancu

Junkins

Necula-Petrareanu

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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During violent criminal actions in which the perpetrator disposes of the victim’s remains by burial, the analysis of insects and bacterial colonization patterns could be necessary for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. Our research aimed to assess the decomposition process of buried rat carcasses from shallow graves (40 cm), the diversity and dynamics of insects and bacteria throughout the decomposition stages, and the environmental parameters’ influence on these variations. The results provide further insight on decomposition in soil and contribute to a broader understanding of the factors involved in decomposition by qualitatively and quantitatively analysing the decomposer community (bacteria and insects). Additionally, two bacterial taxa, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium paraputrificum that were investigated for the first time as PMI indicators using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed differential abundance over time, promising data for PMI estimation. The current study on the decomposition of buried rat carcasses in a natural environment will strengthen the current knowledge on decomposed remains from shallow graves and represents an effort to quantify insect and bacterial taxa as PMI estimators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing forensically important insect and microbial community colonization patterns in buried remains

Iancu

Junkins

Necula-Petrareanu

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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“…Clothing can provide a valuable source of evidence in a variety of crime scenes. When associated with human remains, the collection and examination of clothing may assist investigators in determining the nature of the death [1]. Human remains undergo a decomposition process that results from the breakdown of tissue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation of fatty acid profiles from textiles associated with decomposing pig remains in a temperate Australian environment

2018

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A methodology to examine the human post-mortem decomposition process has been developed through the monitoring of chemical changes to decomposition fluids absorbed by clothing. Model surface deposition using clothed pigs were established during summer and winter seasons in a temperate region of Australia. Three clothing materials were investigated: cotton, polyester and cotton-polyester. Lipid decomposition products were extracted from the textiles and the fatty acid composition measured as a function of surface deposition time using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two derivatisation methods for the fatty acids were compared to establish the most effective approach and it was established that a trimethylsilylation derivatisation method is the optimal preparation technique. The summer trials revealed two rates of transformation of fatty acids from unsaturated to saturated forms, with a faster rate of change occurring earlier in the trials. A different pattern of behaviour was observed for the fatty acids detected during the winter trial, with a decrease in saturated fatty acids initially observed, followed by the conversion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids until the end of trial. The initial change observed during the winter trial was attributed to a dehydrogenation process caused by microbiological enzymatic activity. The study has demonstrated the feasibility of examining lipid decomposition products collected in clothing from surface depositions to provide insight into the conditions and length of deposition.

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“…The blood and decomposition fluid represented favorable substrates for fungal growth, which consequently promoted the mechanical and chemical degradation of fibers [74,75]. Fungal spores can be conveyed by the wind, contact with the soil, and the activity of visiting insects.…”

Section: Biodegradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

Ziogos,

Dadour,

Pitts

et al. 2023

Insects

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Fatal stabbings are the leading cause of homicide in countries with restricted access to firearms, such as Australia. The analysis of damage on clothing imparted by a sharp object can assist in the characterization of the weapon. However, decomposition and carrion insects can modify the features of the damage, impeding textile damage analysis and crime reconstruction. This study aimed to identify and characterize the modifications of textile damage over 47 days of decomposition during the summer season in Western Australia. Fabric modifications were analyzed on cotton, synthetic, and blended fabrics with standardized cuts and tears, wrapped on 99 stillborn piglets. Six unclothed piglets acted as controls, with three being stabbed. All piglets were placed simultaneously in the field alongside swatches of fabric. Analyses considered taphonomy, insect interactions, and any textile damage using optical microscopy and SEM. The results showed that carrion insects can modify existing cuts and tears and introduce new artifacts on textiles. The 100% cotton fabric was the most affected by mechanical and chemical degradation, especially cuts and areas stained with blood or decomposition fluids. The study highlights the combined effect of multiple factors on textile damage, including the type of fabric, initial damage, bloating, insect activity, and biodegradation.

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Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

Characterizing forensically important insect and microbial community colonization patterns in buried remains

Characterizing forensically important insect and microbial community colonization patterns in buried remains

Seasonal variation of fatty acid profiles from textiles associated with decomposing pig remains in a temperate Australian environment

Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

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