NCJ Number
113157
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 985-997
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A population of 37 partially to fully skeletonized human remains recovered from outdoor locations within the Seattle/King County area of Washington State between 1979 and 1987 were surveyed for evidence of animal tooth artifacts.
Abstract
Only identified remains, where the date of death was known, were considered. Sixty-five percent of the 37 skeletons considered showed evidence of animal tooth marks. The majority of animal artifacts were produced by coyotes and dogs, as determined by scat deposits and tracks or by characteristic canid punctures, pits, scoring marks, and furrows. Canivore damage to long bones was more frequent in less dense, cancellous portions. Once articular surfaces of long bones were removed, there was progressive reduction of shaft length until the bone was totally destroyed. Factors in addition to the bone architecture which determined the extent and type of tooth mark artifacts were the age and size of the deceased (the amount of soft tissue determines damage to underlying bone), body location in relation to human population density, protection from animals offered by the position or covering of the remains, state of decomposition of the remains, and the scavenging animal species (size, number, and behavior). 10 figures, 44 references.