Dados do Trabalho

Título

AQUATIC TAPHONOMY: AN ANALYSIS OF HUMAN DECOMPOSITION IN NATURAL WATERWAYS OF NEW YORK CITY

Introdução

In comparison to the abundance of taphonomic studies conducted on terrestrial environments, research using human cadavers in aquatic environments is scarce. Most studies of aquatic taphonomic changes have been conducted in a controlled environment rather than in a free-flowing aqueous environment. Creating similar experiments in natural waterways would prove to be much more difficult logistically, legally, and ethically. By taking a retrospective approach and observing previous cases of decedents found in the natural waterways of NYC we can begin to understand the decomposition process within this specific environment and confirm or refute long standing anecdotal reports.

Objetivos

This research aims to observe trends of skeletonization and decomposition in human remains recovered from natural waterways.

Parte experimental

Case photographs, supplementary reports, investigation reports, autopsy reports, and family identification forms, were referenced for overall data collection. The photographs were used to analyze patterns of decomposition via a self created scoring system, the remainder were used for demographic information. Using the photographs, eleven anatomical regions were assigned individual scores that appropriately represented the extent of decomposition that occurred at the time the photographs were taken. These scores were then used in conjunction with case related reports and forms to assess/patterns of decomposition and fluvial transport of the human remains discovered in an aquatic environment. Microsoft Excel was used to calculate basic statistical analyses (mean, mode, standard deviation) and record case related information (scoring, demographics, observations).

Resultados e Discussões

This study revealed that the cranium skeletonized the fastest, followed by the mandible, hands, and tibiae, with evidence of the skeletonization process at a minimum of 22 days. The regions most inclined to be disarticulated upon discovery are the hands, forearms, and feet.

Conclusões

A continuation of this data collection would prove helpful to observe how these trends change moving forward. In doing so, information such as, how efficiently the NYC OCME continues to identify submerged remains, common cause(s)/manner(s) of death of remains found in bodies of water, and “hot spots” or trends for submerged remain recovery, can be further distinguished.

Referências e agradecimentos

Special thanks to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Dr. Bradley Adams for his guidance throughout this project.

Palavras Chave

Aquatic taphonomy, skeletonization patterns

Arquivos

Área

Antropologia Forense