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Differential Decomposition Patterns of Human Remains in Variable Environments of the Midwest

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Differential Decomposition Patterns of Human Remains in Variable Environments of the Midwest University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 4-12-2010 Differential Decomposition Patterns Of Human Remains In Variable Environments Of The Midwest Melissa A. Pope University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons Scholar Commons Citation Pope, Melissa A., "Differential Decomposition Patterns Of Human Remains In Variable Environments Of The Midwest" (2010). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/1741 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Differential Decomposition Patterns Of Human Remains In Variable Environments Of The Midwest by Melissa A. Pope A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Erin Kimmerle, Ph.D. Lorena Madrigal, Ph.D. David Himmelgreen, Ph.D. Date of Approval: April 12, 2010 Keywords: indoor environments, forensic anthropology and taphonomy, postmortem interval, human rights, time since death estimation © Copyright 2010 , Melissa A. Pope Dedication I would like to dedicate this paper to my parents, Annina and David Pope, whose support and guidance have pushed me to achieve my dreams. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Erin Kimmerle, Ph.D., for her mentorship and guidance throughout the thesis writing process. I would also like to thank my committee members, Lorena Madrigal, Ph.D. and David Himmelgreen, Ph.D., who have been integral to my education as an anthropologist, and for their thoughtful advice on my thesis manuscript. The Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, Inc. deserves special recognition for the provision of an internship opportunity, access to their data, and funding for my research. Within this organization, special thanks go to Cory Avery and Julie Nickel, who provided me with infinite assistance for data collection. I would also like to thank Timothy Huntington, Ph.D. for advising me on sources of outside data. I am especially indebted to Dr. Matthias Okoye, who provided me with an opportunity to do research and to learn from his pathology practice. A warm thank you is extended to the Okoye family, who opened their home and their hearts during my stay. Lastly, I am especially grateful for Casey C. Anderson, who assisted with data collection and offered advice throughout the writing process. Thank you. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures................................................................................................................... vii Abstract.............................................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................1 Chapter 2 Literature Review................................................................................................8 Forensic Taphonomy Defined..................................................................................8 Anthropological Research and the Judicial System...............................................14 Taphonomic Theory and Methodology .................................................................17 The Basics..................................................................................................17 Traditional Methodology ...........................................................................18 Theoretical and Methodological Problems ................................................20 Present and Future Epistemological Directions.........................................25 Intrinsic Transformations.......................................................................................32 Livor Mortis...............................................................................................33 Autolysis ....................................................................................................33 Rigor Mortis...............................................................................................37 Putrefaction................................................................................................39 Mummification and Adipocere..................................................................42 Taphonomic Influences..........................................................................................43 Temperature ...............................................................................................44 Accumulated Degree Days ........................................................................45 Cause and Manner of Death.......................................................................47 Epidemiological Factors ............................................................................49 Burial Factors.............................................................................................51 Location .................................................................................................................53 Outdoor Surface Locations ........................................................................54 Subsurface Locations.................................................................................65 Aquatic Locations ......................................................................................68 Indoor Locations ........................................................................................71 Vehicle Locations ......................................................................................77 Recapitulation ............................................................................................79 Chapter 3 Materials and Methods......................................................................................82 Research Setting.....................................................................................................82 i Materials ................................................................................................................83 Protocol Description ..................................................................................83 Intrinsic ..........................................................................................86 Extrinsic .........................................................................................87 Epidemiological .............................................................................88 Variables ....................................................................................................88 Sample ....................................................................................................................94 Statistical Methods.................................................................................................96 Demographic Profile for All Unaccompanied Deaths...............................96 Taphonomy, the Postmortem Interval and ADD .......................................97 Outdoor Near-Surface Subsample .................................................97 Outdoor Subsurface, Aquatic and Exhumed Subsamples..............97 Enclosed Subsample ......................................................................97 Chapter 4 Results .............................................................................................................102 Demographic Profile of All Unaccompanied Deaths ..........................................102 Manner of Death and Sex ........................................................................103 Sex and Age .............................................................................................103 Manner of Death and Age........................................................................106 Cause of Death and Sex ...........................................................................110 Cause of Death and Age Range ...............................................................110 Cause and Manner of Death.....................................................................117 Demographic Profile by Context .........................................................................120 Outdoor Near-Surface Depositions..........................................................122 Outdoor Subsurface Depositions .............................................................124 Aquatic Depositions.................................................................................124 Exhumed Depositions ..............................................................................124 Enclosed Depositions...............................................................................125 Cause and Manner of Death.........................................................128 Differences in PMI Among Manners of Death....................................................129 Taphonomy, the Postmortem Interval and ADD .................................................133 Description of PMI and ADD for All Cases............................................133 Reliability of Bass’ Model for All Context Combined............................134
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