NCJ Number
207171
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 918-923
Date Published
September 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined the link between postmortem interval and the phase of postmortem change for 225 cadavers found in various regions of the Spanish mainland in differing postmortem environments.
Abstract
The cadavers were examined between 1992 and 2002 by the Laboratorio de Antropologia y Odontologia Forense (LAF) of the Instituto Anatomico Forense de Madrid. The postmortem interval was the difference between the person's date of disappearance and the cadaver's recovery. The climates of summer and winter were factored into the analysis. The environments to which the cadavers were exposed were distributed into the following phases: phase 1 (putrefaction), 1 week to 1 month on the surface and 2 months in water; phase 2 (initial skeletonization), 2 months on the surface and 5 to 6 months in water; phase 3 (advanced skeletonization), 6 months to 1.5 years on the surface and 2.5 years buried; and phase 4 (complete skeletonization, about 1 year on the surface and 3 years buried. These factors reflect the findings of the relevant literature. Type of insect activity influenced the stages of putrefaction. Cadavers found in coastal regions had the fastest postmortem change, reflecting warmer temperatures and higher humidity; and the summer temperatures promoted decomposition through increased insect activity. The cadavers found outdoors underwent a more rapid decomposition than those found indoors or buried, and buried cadavers decomposed more rapidly than those found in water. Animals feeding on the cadavers, which was determined by environment, also influenced the process of skeletonization. 2 tables, 8 figures, and 25 references