Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains

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). Forensic Taphonomy explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonomic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Review articles, case reports, and chapters on methodology round out this book's unique approach to forensic science.

Table of Contents:
Foreword, J.H. Davis Preface, G. Haynes INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC TAPHONOMY, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Taphonomy in the Forensic Context Method and Theory of Taphonomic Research, W.D. Haglund and M.H. Sorg Context Delicti: Archaeological Context in Forensic Work, D.D. Scott and M. Connor The Role of Archaeology in the Recovery and Interpretation of Human Remains from an Outdoor Forensic Setting, D.C. Dirkmaat and J.M. Adavasio Chain of Custody from the Field to the Courtroom, J. Melbye and S.B. Jimenez Taphonomic Applications in Forensic Anthropology, D.H. Ubelaker MODIFICATIONS OF SOFT TISSUE, BONE, AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Chemical Underpinnings Chemical and Ultrastructural Aspects of Decomposition, H. Gill-King Preservation and Recovery of DNA in Postmortem Specimens and Trace Samples, T.J. Parsons and V.W. Weedn Soft Tissue The Process of Decomposition: A Model from the Arizona-Sonoran Desert, A. Galloway Postmortem Changes in Soft Tissue, M.A. Clark, M.B. Worrell, and J.E. Pless Recognition of Cemetery Remains in the Forensic Setting, H.E. Berryman, W.M. Bass, S.A. Symes, and O.T. Smith Frozen Environments and Soft Tissue Preservation, M.S. Micozzi Outdoor Decomposition Rates in Tennessee, W.M. Bass, III Bone Microscopic Structure of Bone, M. Schultz Microscopic Investigation of Excavated Skeletal Remains: A Contribution to Paleopathology and Forensic Medicine, M. Schultz A Critical Evaluation of Bone Weathering as an Indication of Bone Assemblage Formation, L.R. Lyman and G.L. Fox Eskimo Skeleton Taphonomy with Identification of Possible Polar Bear Victims, C.F. Merbs Human Variables in the Postmortem Alteration of Human Bone: Examples from U.S. War Casualties, T.D. Holland, B.E. Anderson, and R.W. Mann Fire Modification of Bone: A Review of the Literature, P.M. Mayne Correia Human Bone Mineral Densities and Survival of Bone Elements: A Contemporary Sample, A. Galloway, P. Willey, and L. Snyder Cranial Bone Displacement as a Taphonomic Process in Potential Child Abuse Cases, T.A.J. Crist, A. Washburn, H. Park, I. Hood, and M.A. Hickey Associated Materials Biodegradation of Hair and Fibers, W.F. Rowe Forensic Botany, D. Hall SCAVENGED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Carnivore Scavenged Remains Dogs and Coyotes: Postmortem Involvement with Human Remains, W.D. Haglund Scattered Skeletal Remains: Search Strategy Considerations for Locating Missing Teeth, W.D. Haglund The Utilization of Faunal Evidence in the Recovery of Human Remains, T.A. Murad Rodent Scavenged Remains Rodents and Human Remains, W.D. Haglund Scavenging by Insects On the Body: Insects' Life Stage Presence, Their Postmortem Artifacts, and Entomological Collecting Procedures, N.H. Haskell, V.J. Cervenka, and M.A. Clark Scavenging by Water Organisms Human Remains Recovered from a Shark's Stomach in South Carolina, T.A. Rathbun and B.C. Rathbun BURIED AND PROTECTED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Decomposition Decomposition of Buried and Submerged Bodies, W.C. Rodriguez III Decomposition Rates of Deliberate Burials: A Case Study of Preservation, M.H. Manheim Autopsied, Embalmed, and Preserved Human Remains: Distinguishing Features in Forensic and Historic Contexts, P.S. Sledzik and M.S. Micozzi Necrosearch Revisited: Further Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Detection of Clandestine Graves, D.L. France, T.J. Griffin, J.G. Swanburg, J.W. Lindemann, G.C. Davenport, V. Trammell, C.T. Travis, B. Kondratieff, A. Nelson, K. Castellano, D. Hopkins, and T. Adair Preservation in Late 19th Century Iron Coffin Burials, D.W. Owsley and B.E. Compton REMAINS IN WATER: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Riverine Environments Fluvial Transport of Human Crania, S.P. Nawrocki, J.E. Pless, D.A. Hawley, and S.A. Wagner The Taphonomic Effects of Flood Waters on Bone, S. Brooks and R.H. Brooks Lacustrine Environments Movement of Bodies in Lake Ontario, Tyler G. O'Brien Marine Environments Forensic Taphonomy in Marine Contexts, M.H. Sorg, J.H. Dearborn, E.I. Monahan, H.F. Ryan, K.G. Sweeney, and E. David Human Aquatic Taphonomy in the Monterey Bay Area, S. Boyle, A. Galloway, and R.T. Mason Burials at Sea, M.R. London, J.F. Krolikowski, and J.H. Davis CONCLUSIONS AND OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG Afterword, C.C. Snow