Forensic taphonomy the postmortem fate of human remains

Forensic taphonomy : the postmortem fate of human remains By William D Haglund; Marcella H Sorg
1997 | 636 Pages | ISBN: 0849394341 | PDF | 11 MB
Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and paleontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). This book explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonimic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Topics include: Method and theory in forensic taphonomy; Archaeological methods and techniques; Chemical aspects of decomposition; Decay and mummification; Degradation of DNA and other organic remains; Degradation of trace evidence; Decomposition rates in terrestrial and marine contexts; Frozen and soft tissue preservation; Gross and microscopic postmortem changes in bone tissue; Fire modification of bone; Taphonomic aspects of bone density; Scavenging by canids, rodents, and marine organisms; Postmortem insect succession and insect artifacts; Autopsied and embalmed human remains in varied contexts; Detection and analysis of deliberate burials; Fluvial transport of human remains. -- from Back Cover