NCJ Number
226001
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 209-213
Date Published
December 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study compared the frequency of scavenging of pig carcasses by vertebrates in two different habitats, a deciduous forest and a tall-grass meadow, and measured the time taken to search for scattered remains within a designated search area using four methods.
Abstract
The study found that vertebrate scavenging differed between the two habitats, likely due to differences in the scavengers frequenting the two habitats, as well as characteristics of the habitat itself, such as obstructions to mobility. The study was unable to show any differences in the four methods regarding the time required to find all parts of the carcasses, due to the variability associated with the methods. Future research should indicate which methods are more appropriate for particular environments. On July 13, 2006, 10 freshly killed 23-kg pigs were placed in either a forest or meadow habitat (5 per habitat). Within each habitat, the pigs were placed 50 m apart in approximately a straight line transect across the habitat. Their location was marked with a stake and flagging tape. Colonization by insects, rate of decomposition, and occurrence of vertebrate scavenging were recorded once per day. On July 17, 2006, four search methods were assessed for recovery of remains in the two habitats. The four methods were the Link, Line, Zone, and Spiral methods. The Link method involves following the most likely path as indicated by the evidence. The Line method requires searchers to stay parallel to each other, moving across the landscape in a straight line. The Zone method divides the search area into a grid, with each team searching a zone within the grid. The Spiral method requires searchers to move outward from a point in concentric circles. 1 figure and 24 references