Macroscopical Findings on Soil-Embedded Skeletal Remains Allowing the Exclusion of a Forensically Relevant Lay Time (From Forensic Pathology Reviews, Volume 3, P 239-250, 2005, Michael Tsokos, ed, -- See NCJ-209976)

• NCJ Number: 209982
• Author(s): Marcel A. Verhoff M.D.; Kerstin Kreutz Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Humana Press Inc.
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter presents findings of a study on the lay times of 1,259 soil-embedded skeletal remains.

Abstract

Determining the postmortem interval (PMI) of human bones or skeletal remains is an elusive proposition, with reliable lay time determination possible neither through morphological examination nor through extensive technical investigations. The current study reviewed 21 original publications containing macroscopical findings of soil-embedded bones with known lay times. In all, 1,259 bones and their findings were evaluated. The analysis revealed 11 macromorphological findings that hold relevance for PMI determination when present and an additional 5 findings that hold relevance for the determination of PMI through their absence. These expanded findings provide the basis for a macromorphological exclusion of a forensically relevant lay time of soil-embedded skeletal remains. Tables, figures, references