Factors that influence the estimation of post mortem interval in a Guinea forest-savannah vegetation of Nigeria

A synthesis of carcass decomposition studies conducted at a tropical (Aw) taphonomy facility: 2013–2022

“…Other tropical decomposition studies, although not seasonal in nature, reported rates of pig carcass breakdown that are comparable to the present findings. These studies were conducted in a forest in Shenzhen City, Guangdong, China [ 58 ], forest-savanna near Okuku, Cross River State, Nigeria [ 20 , 59 , 60 ], Ekwulumini, Anambra State, Nigeria [ 61 ], and Medellín, Colombia [ 62 , 63 ]. These studies show that the decomposition data generated at the Chaminade facility can be representative of decomposition processes in other parts of the tropics.…”

“…The ecological significance of decomposition can moreover have characteristics that are informative to criminal and medicolegal death investigations [ 12 , 13 ], the administration of justice [ 14 ] and the management of public health [ 15 ]. Decomposing remains have been studied on every continent [ 11 , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] ] and the understanding of carcass decomposition has advanced significantly since the turn of the 21st century. However, myriad variables that affect carcass breakdown still remain poorly understood.…”