The Accelerating Effects of Burning on Carrion Decomposition
Abstract
In some homicide cases, the victim's body is burned. There is little data that suggests that burned organic tissue decomposes at a faster rate than unburned tissue. This experiment used chickens to test if the burning of tissue had a faster decomposing affect than unburned tissue. Decomposition rate was examined through how many insects were on the carcasses in different amounts of sunlight. It was determined that a burned carcass, where there is some sunlight, decomposes faster than an unburned carcass. This information could be used to determine the time of death of a victim that was burned after death.
References
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Gruenthal A., Moffatt C., Simmons T. 2012. Differential Decomposition Patterns in Charred Versus Un-Charred Remains. J Forensic Sci. Vol 57, No. 1. doi: 10.1111/j.1555-4029.2011.01909.x
Spitz W.U. 2006. Thermal Injuries, pp. 747-782. In W.U. Spitz (ed.), Spitz and Fisher's Mediocolegal Investigation of Death. 4th Edition. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL.
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