Forensic Taphonomy The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains

Foreword, J.H. Davis
Preface, G. Haynes

INTRODUCTION: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC TAPHONOMY, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

Taphonomy in the Forensic Context
Method and Theory of Taphonomic Research, W.D. Haglund and M.H. Sorg
Context Delicti: Archaeological Context in Forensic Work, D.D. Scott and M. Connor
The Role of Archaeology in the Recovery and Interpretation of Human Remains from an Outdoor Forensic Setting, D.C. Dirkmaat and J.M. Adavasio
Chain of Custody from the Field to the Courtroom, J. Melbye and S.B. Jimenez
Taphonomic Applications in Forensic Anthropology, D.H. Ubelaker

MODIFICATIONS OF SOFT TISSUE, BONE, AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

Chemical Underpinnings
Chemical and Ultrastructural Aspects of Decomposition, H. Gill-King
Preservation and Recovery of DNA in Postmortem Specimens and Trace Samples, T.J. Parsons and V.W. Weedn

Soft Tissue
The Process of Decomposition: A Model from the Arizona-Sonoran Desert, A. Galloway
Postmortem Changes in Soft Tissue, M.A. Clark, M.B. Worrell, and J.E. Pless
Recognition of Cemetery Remains in the Forensic Setting, H.E. Berryman, W.M. Bass, S.A. Symes, and O.T. Smith
Frozen Environments and Soft Tissue Preservation, M.S. Micozzi
Outdoor Decomposition Rates in Tennessee, W.M. Bass, III

Bone
Microscopic Structure of Bone, M. Schultz
Microscopic Investigation of Excavated Skeletal Remains: A Contribution to Paleopathology and Forensic Medicine, M. Schultz
A Critical Evaluation of Bone Weathering as an Indication of Bone Assemblage Formation, L.R. Lyman and G.L. Fox
Eskimo Skeleton Taphonomy with Identification of Possible Polar Bear Victims, C.F. Merbs
Human Variables in the Postmortem Alteration of Human Bone: Examples from U.S. War Casualties, T.D. Holland, B.E. Anderson, and R.W. Mann
Fire Modification of Bone: A Review of the Literature, P.M. Mayne Correia
Human Bone Mineral Densities and Survival of Bone Elements: A Contemporary Sample, A. Galloway, P. Willey, and L. Snyder
Cranial Bone Displacement as a Taphonomic Process in Potential Child Abuse Cases, T.A.J. Crist, A. Washburn, H. Park, I. Hood, and M.A. Hickey

Associated Materials
Biodegradation of Hair and Fibers, W.F. Rowe
Forensic Botany, D. Hall

SCAVENGED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

Carnivore Scavenged Remains
Dogs and Coyotes: Postmortem Involvement with Human Remains, W.D. Haglund
Scattered Skeletal Remains: Search Strategy Considerations for Locating Missing Teeth, W.D. Haglund
The Utilization of Faunal Evidence in the Recovery of Human Remains, T.A. Murad

Rodent Scavenged Remains
Rodents and Human Remains, W.D. Haglund

Scavenging by Insects
On the Body: Insects' Life Stage Presence, Their Postmortem Artifacts, and Entomological Collecting Procedures, N.H. Haskell, V.J. Cervenka, and M.A. Clark

Scavenging by Water Organisms
Human Remains Recovered from a Shark's Stomach in South Carolina, T.A. Rathbun and B.C. Rathbun

BURIED AND PROTECTED REMAINS: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

Decomposition
Decomposition of Buried and Submerged Bodies, W.C. Rodriguez III
Decomposition Rates of Deliberate Burials: A Case Study of Preservation, M.H. Manheim
Autopsied, Embalmed, and Preserved Human Remains: Distinguishing Features in Forensic and Historic Contexts, P.S. Sledzik and M.S. Micozzi
Necrosearch Revisited: Further Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Detection of Clandestine Graves, D.L. France, T.J. Griffin, J.G. Swanburg, J.W. Lindemann, G.C. Davenport, V. Trammell, C.T. Travis, B. Kondratieff, A. Nelson, K. Castellano, D. Hopkins, and T. Adair
Preservation in Late 19th Century Iron Coffin Burials, D.W. Owsley and B.E. Compton

REMAINS IN WATER: OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG

Riverine Environments
Fluvial Transport of Human Crania, S.P. Nawrocki, J.E. Pless, D.A. Hawley, and S.A. Wagner
The Taphonomic Effects of Flood Waters on Bone, S. Brooks and R.H. Brooks

Lacustrine Environments
Movement of Bodies in Lake Ontario, Tyler G. O'Brien

Marine Environments
Forensic Taphonomy in Marine Contexts, M.H. Sorg, J.H. Dearborn, E.I. Monahan, H.F. Ryan, K.G. Sweeney, and E. David
Human Aquatic Taphonomy in the Monterey Bay Area, S. Boyle, A. Galloway, and R.T. Mason
Burials at Sea, M.R. London, J.F. Krolikowski, and J.H. Davis

CONCLUSIONS AND OVERVIEW, W.D. HAGLUND AND M.H. SORG
Afterword, C.C. Snow

"The contents of this volume are certainly appealing to those studying and practicing forensic pathology, with suggestions for further study. … Forensic investigators will of course find this text of use in their 'forensic education'. … I would recommend that anyone studying forensic science courses read this book, and contemplate how the principles can be applied … ."
- www.forensicmed.co.uk


"The value of this book can be appreciated instantly simply by noting the names of the contributors. They are the leaders in their fields. The subjects are covered extensively, the discussions of actual cases are handled without undue "war storying," and the field of forensic taphonomy receives its first extensive and in-depth treatment. The volume will surely stand the test of time and will be a ready resource for a variety of professionals whose dealings are with the dead."
-SCIENTIFIC SLEUTHING REVIEW

"This book contains much information about taphonomic processes and the investigation of crime…details decomposition processes, animal and insect activity, and environmental changes."
-C.M. Milroy, Reviews