Taphonomic Analysis of Rodentia and Lagomorpha Bone Gnawing Based Upon Incisor Size

Pokines, James T.; Sussman, Rachel; Gough, B A Megan; Ralston, Claira; Mcleod, Elizabeth van Hoven; Brun, Karen; Kearns, Aisling; Moore, Tara

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.13254

Cited by 16 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…These processes include gross postmortem changes (e.g., livor mortis, marbling, bloating), autolysis, putrefaction, insect larval development, scavenging activity, and many others. Taphonomy is relevant to medicolegal death investigation because proper interpretation of decomposition processes can accomplish investigative goals such as establishing the cause of death , locating clandestine graves , and estimating postmortem interval . An ecological approach to studying and applying taphonomy is often implemented because many decomposition processes are biologically mediated.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Scavenging activity can also mimic anthropogenic activity, such as cutting and sawing, which can make it difficult to accurately assess trauma . Numerous scavenging studies have been conducted in recent years but the majority have been in temperate and cold climates , probably because scavengers can access more remains during colder months when insect activity is decreased . Oahu, in contrast, is a geographically isolated Tropical island habitat with a limited number of potential vertebrate scavenging species, including feral cats ( Felis catus ), feral dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ), wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), rats ( Rattus spp.…”

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confidence: 99%

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An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) on Oahu, Hawaii

Dibner

Valdez

Carter

2019

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses were decomposed on the soil surface of a terrestrial habitat on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to begin characterizing the decomposer community. Results showed that carcasses can decompose rapidly on Oahu, primarily due to the activity of fly larvae, with ~80% of mass lost by 8 days (~220 ADD) postmortem. Scavenging was conducted exclusively by the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), first feeding on larvae then feeding on the remains. Carcasses were habitats of warm temperature, little to no oxygen, slightly acidic/neutral pH, and high sodium concentration. Larval masses selected for a microbial community comprised of multiple bacterial taxa from phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, particularly genera Clostridium, Proteus, and Providencia. These larval masses were well established from 3 to 8 days (~90 to ~220 ADD) postmortem. These data provide helpful, novel insight into the structure and activity of carcass decomposer communities on Oahu.

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) on Oahu, Hawaii

Dibner

Valdez

Carter

2019

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Also, a large number of human bones were pulled out by ground squirrels. It is known that some species of rodents are likely to gnaw bones to extract minerals they lack (Pokines et al, ). In this respect, the population of rodents could represent a mark for identifying specific areas within the site, for example the necropolis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the subsurface structures of a lost medieval village in South‐Western Romania by combining conventional geophysical methods

Hegyi

Urdea

Floca³

et al. 2018

Archaeological Prospection

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The medieval fortification of Mașloc, known as the 'Șanțul Turcilor' (Turkish ditch) is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the Banat region, Romania. To reconstruct the subsurface archaeological features at the Mașloc site we combined three different geophysical methods: magnetometry, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and we used SfM (structure-from-motion) to achieve a detailed digital elevation model and an orthophoto mosaic also. Six hectares were investigated by magnetometry in order to define the basic outline of the medieval settlement, which gradually developed around the fortification. Several GPR and ERT profiles were constructed over the ramparts and ditches of the fortification to determine their extent and the internal structure of the ramparts, ditches and the houses within. The interpretation of these profiles shows for the first time the existence of a second ditch around the fortification: this is not visible in the field. The geophysical mapping precisely identifies the dwellings within the site, which shows the spatial organization of the village. Houses were developed along its main street, oriented northeast-southwest (NE-SW), which were constructed using well-established rules and must have been planned by a local administration. Such organization demonstrates the importance of the village in medieval times, due probably to its location near to the road between two important towns: Timișoara and Lipova. The geophysical results now allow us to associate this settlement with the lost Machalaka, an important village mentioned in the medieval documents. The geophysical investigation demonstrates how this method can delineate village boundaries and the planimetry of internal archaeological features.

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“…In addition to rodents, shrews (Soricidae), moles (Talpidae), and hedgehogs (Erinaceinae), as well as rabbits and hares (Lagomorpha), are also widespread in Europe, including the UK. Lagomorphs are occasional scavenging agents and can be observed, in rare cases, to feed on fresh animal carcasses and bone [91,133,134].…”

Section: Rodents (Order: Rodentia)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

Indra

Errickson

Young

et al. 2022

Biology

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Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the deceased. Animal scavenging is a relatively common occurrence in forensic investigations. Even so, studies on the subject are scattered and rare, with most focussing on geographical areas outside of Europe. For that reason, we intend to collate the literature to provide an account of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers in Europe, their impacts on human remains, and their implications for forensic investigations. Here, we provide an overview of forensic aspects where the knowledge of animal scavenging is crucial, as well as an account of potential scavengers of human remains in Europe and their typical alterations to soft tissue and, in particular, to bones. In addition, we are the first to provide a guide for forensic practitioners to identify the presence of vertebrate scavenging and subsequently inform outdoor search strategies for affected human remains.

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Taphonomic Analysis of Rodentia and Lagomorpha Bone Gnawing Based Upon Incisor Size

Cited by 16 publications

References 92 publications

An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) on Oahu, Hawaii

An Experiment to Characterize the Decomposer Community Associated with Carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) on Oahu, Hawaii

Mapping the subsurface structures of a lost medieval village in South‐Western Romania by combining conventional geophysical methods

Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

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