Vertebrate scavengers alter the chronology of carcass decay

Abstract

When feeding on exposed corpses, vertebrate scavengers can alter the chronology of decay and interfere with post-mortem interval estimation. However, information on vertebrate scavengers' actions in areas of the Brazilian Cerrado is scarce, which may constrain future criminal investigations. Thus, we aimed to identify the vertebrate species that visit carcasses, determine whether the number of visits between seasons and among phytophysiognomies varies and examine whether decay stage influences attractiveness to vertebrate scavengers. We obtained data using camera traps installed in two protected areas with three Cerrado phytophysiognomies. The 2032 photographs and 109 videos obtained showed that eight mammal and one bird species interacted with the carcasses. Canis familiaris and Caracara plancus had the highest numbers of carcass visits and feeding events. Stage of decay negatively influenced the number of mammal visits to the carcasses, but bird visits were not affected. Seasons did not affect visit number, and most visits occurred in the cerrado sensu stricto. Because they interfere with the decay process, possibly compromising evidence interpretation, scavengers should be considered in forensic analyses.

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

“…However, 49 days were required to reach an equivalent stage during the winter when mean ambient temperature and relative humidity equaled 18.5 °C and 62%, respectively. A relatively similar observation was observed by Lira et al [ 38 ] in a woodland and a savanna in the Cerrado, eastern Brazil, during the rainy season (October–March) and dry season (April–September). Smaller (2.0 kg–2.5 kg) pig carcasses reached an advanced stage of decomposition in 8 days during the rainy season and 14 days during the dry season.…”

“…Several decomposition studies have been conducted in the tropics, particularly in Brazil [ 38 ], Malaysia [ 39 ], Nigeria [ 40 ], and the USA – Hawaii [ 41 ]. These studies focused on a wide range of questions related to medicolegal death investigation [ 42 ], forensic microbiology [ 43 ], forensic entomology [ 44 ], scavenger ecology [ 45 ] cemetery planning [ 46 ], and public health [ 47 ].…”

“…Wang et al [ 49 ] observed a significant decrease in the rate of pig ( Sus scrofa domesticus ) carcass decomposition during the cooler, less humid winter in Zhongsang City, Guangdong Province, China. Lira et al [ 38 ] observed that the skeletonization of pig carcasses in the Brazilian Cerrado during the dry season (April–September) required nearly double the time to decompose relative to the wet season (October–March). Otherwise, tropical decomposition studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of other variables, such as placement in a built environment [ 39 ], burial [ 40 ], embalming [ 50 ], or clothing [ 51 ], without an analysis of seasonal influences.…”

Comparação Do Desempenho Econômico-Financeiro De Empresas Listadas Na B3 Participantes Do Índice De Sustentabilidade Empresarial (Ise) E Não Participantes No Segundo Semestre De 2022

“…Especificamente, os indicadores ambientais são diversos, como a ecoeficiência (que é a razão entre acrescentar mais valor ao passo que diminuise o consumo de recursos e a produção de resíduos para tanto), indicador de resíduo, de emissão atmosférica, de águas residuais etc. (Lira;Cândido, 2013) Além disso, existe o indicador de avaliação do desempenho ambiental, que engloba indicadores de desempenho da gestão (que avalia em que medida as atividades da gestão foram realizadas conforme planejado) e de desempenho operacional (que avalia os impactos da atividade da empresa no meio ambiente) (Tinoco;Kraemer, 2011).…”