Module 3.1 Overview of Taphonomic Processes

Define taphonomy

the study of everything that happens to a biological organism after the time of death until discovered

What are the affects of taphonomic changes?

• relative position of skeletal remains

• difficult to reassemble remains, estimate identification, and cause of death

What is the taphonomic process?

• movement of remains from the biosphere to the lithosphere

• flesh takes less time to breakdown compared to bone

• decomposition → biostratinomy →diagenesis

Define forensic taphonomy

the study of postmortem processes which affect the state of preservation and recovering of human remains

• can help reconstruct the circumstances surrounding a death event

Define antemortem

occuring before death aka premortem

Define perimortem

occuring during or near death

Define postmortem

occuring after death

Define postmortem interval (PM)

time since death

Define decomposition

biochemical and physical alterations that happen to the body after death leading to skeletonization

• organic material is broke down into simpler forms right after death

• can distort the position of the body or create artifacts in the position

What are the 2 chemical and microbial processes in decomposition?

autolysis (self-destruction): destruction of cells and organs by an aseptic chemical process

putrefaction: destruction of tissue by bacteria and funges in the intestine or from outside the body

What can affect the timing of decomposition?

intrinsic factors: body size, pathology, trauma

extrinsic factors: burial environment, temperature, humidity, scavengers

Describe the seven stages of decomposition