Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots

Abstract

This paper illustrates the usefulness and efficiency of botanical evidence in establishing a minimum postmortem interval (PMI). The case under analysis refers to the remains of an adult male in an advanced state of skeletonization recovered from a wooded area in northern Portugal. The skeleton showed several taphonomical changes, which included the presence of green algae, bryophytes, and growing shrub roots in, around, and through the remains. By determining the age of both the bryophytes and shrub roots, it was concluded that the minimum amount of time elapsed since death was 3 years, to which several months or a few years have to be added to account for the complete decomposition of the remains. The disappearance of the presumptive individual had occurred 6 years before and is fully consistent with the estimate of the PMI. This report illustrates a novel use of bryophytes in a forensic setting.

Organic staining on bone from exposure to wood and other plant materials

“…These cases occurred between October 1991 to January 1995 and all exhibited mild to moderate sun bleaching from exposure on land as well as a dull green, dark brown, or black algal staining. Cardoso et al (2010) presented a case study in which a skeletonized set of remains was recovered in a wooded environment, disturbed by various plant species, and displayed staining from contact with soil and sun exposure. The remains displayed growth of algae and moss on the bone surfaces, which begin to infiltrate the remains once soft tissue had completed decomposition (Cardoso et al 2010).…”

“…Cardoso et al (2010) presented a case study in which a skeletonized set of remains was recovered in a wooded environment, disturbed by various plant species, and displayed staining from contact with soil and sun exposure. The remains displayed growth of algae and moss on the bone surfaces, which begin to infiltrate the remains once soft tissue had completed decomposition (Cardoso et al 2010). The authors suggested that botanical evidence found on the remains can aid in the estimation of PMI through the calculation of the growth period of the particular plant.…”

“…The authors suggested that botanical evidence found on the remains can aid in the estimation of PMI through the calculation of the growth period of the particular plant. A PMI of three years was estimated for the remains plus the time necessary for complete skeletonization to occur, which allows a more reliable time interval for the exclusion or inclusion of possible missing persons (Cardoso et al 2010). Pokines et al (2016) conducted a taphonomic analysis on a set of forty-nine cemetery remains submitted to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Boston.…”

İskelet Kalıntılarından Ölüm Zamanı Tayininde Radyoizotop Analizleri

“…Bitkilerden yola çıkılarak yapılacak tahmin, iskeletleşme süre-cinde de kayda değer sonuçlar verebilmektedir. Ancak ileri dönemlerde bu yöntemler de yetersiz kalmaktadır (1,12).…”

“…Cesetlerin dekompozisyon seviyesi ilerlediği veya komple iskeletleşme gerçekleştiği zaman, dekompozisyon oranındaki çeşitlilik ve postmortem deği-şiklikler ölüm zamanı tahminini komplike hale getirmektedir. Bu aşamadaki böceklerin aktiviteleri ve yaşamsal döngüsü gibi bazı bulgular ölümün üzerinden uzun süre geçmeye başladıkça kullanışlılığını kaybetmektedir (1).…”