Time Since Death Determinations of Human Cadavers Using Soil Solution

Abstract

This study was conducted to collect data on specific volatile fatty acids (produced from soft tissue decomposition) and various anions and cations (liberated from soft tissue and bone), deposited in soil solution underneath decomposing human cadavers as an aid in determining the “time since death.” Seven nude subjects (two black males, a white female and four white males) were placed within a decay research facility at various times of the year and allowed to decompose naturally. Data were amassed every three days in the spring and summer, and weekly in the fall and winter. Analyses of the data reveal distinct patterns in the soil solution for volatile fatty acids during soft tissue decomposition and for specific anions and cations once skeletonized, when based on accumulated degree days. Decompositional rates were also obtained, providing valuable information for estimating the “maximum time since death.” Melanin concentrations observed in soil solution during this study also yields information directed at discerning racial affinities. Application of these data can significantly enhance “time since death” determinations currently in use.

Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) using accumulated degree-days (ADD) in a temperate region of South Africa

“…However, the result from the validation study (Table 4) The use of ADD to estimate the postmortem interval has become a popular technique amongst forensic anthropologists, especially in North America [1,11,28]. Similar to other studies [1,11,13], the rate of decomposition for the entire dataset was found to be curvilinear rather than linear.…”

Shifts in soil biodiversity—A forensic comparison between Sus scrofa domesticus and vegetation decomposition

“…4b, 4d & 4f) Changes in soil pH due to cadaver decomposition have been reported [12,[33][34][35]. The results of our study showed differences in pH in response to Sus scrofa domesticus and grass decomposition due to their chemical compositions of protein, lipid and carbohydrate [2,5] and cellulose and lignin [36][37][38], respectively.…”

The effect of body size on the rate of decomposition in a temperate region of South Africa

“…By making use of ADD the variables associated with temperatures can be standardized. Temperature units known as ADD have been suggested as a viable method to quantify the rate of decomposition [1,7]. ADD are heat energy units which represent the accumulation of thermal energy needed for the chemical and biological reactions that take place in the body during decomposition, thus representing chronological time and temperature combined.…”