Forensic implications of carnivore scavenging on human remains recovered from outdoor locations in Greece

Moraitis, Konstantinos; Spiliopoulou, Chara

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2010.04.008

Cited by 49 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In our case, the diagnostic use of these variables is challenging, given the poor bone surface preservation. However, carnivores can cause dispersal of material from the place of kill/death of animal, which may imitate the transport of body parts by humans (Arilla, Rosell, & Blasco, 2018;Costamagno et al, 2005;Haglund, Reay, & Swindler, 1989;Haynes, 1981;Moraitis & Spiliopoulou, 2010;Yravedra et al, 2012). Large canids, for example, are considered more likely to be dispersal agents than accumulators.…”

Section: Meat Exploitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human and non‐human taphonomic effects on faunal remains from the Late Upper Paleolithic: A case study from the Stránská skála IV site, Czech Republic

Boriová

Sázelová

Novák

et al. 2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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This paper focuses on two accumulations of horse bones at the Stránská skála IV site, dated from around the Last Glacial Maximum (Epigravettian). Osteological material was subjected to taxonomical and taphonomical analyses. The results confirmed the prevalence of horses, and quantitative analyses indicated a minimum of 10 individuals, which is the approximate size of a herd. The taphonomical analyses did not confirm any traces of human activities, but on the basis of skeletal part representation in combination with other site features, we interpret this site as a human opportunistic killing/hunting site. This interpretation was supplemented by approximate nutritional yield analysis, and the outcome was nearly 1,160 kg of meat. The absence of traces of human activity may be explained by the extensive activity of other taphonomic agents described. Their identification plays a key role in the interpretation process.

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Section: Meat Exploitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human and non‐human taphonomic effects on faunal remains from the Late Upper Paleolithic: A case study from the Stránská skála IV site, Czech Republic

Boriová

Sázelová

Novák

et al. 2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…Contrary to outdoor carnivore scavenging (e.g. ), indoor canine scavenging cases are published fairly rarely . Issues regarding specific mutilations and animal motivations are quite different depending on the context and should therefore be emphasized and clearly identified.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific Patterns of Canine Scavenging in Indoor Settings

Colard

Delannoy

Naji

et al. 2015

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Postmortem animal mutilations due to domestic dogs in isolated domestic deaths are taphonomic modifications regularly observed by forensic pathologists. They are rarely described in the literature; however, even though they present specific patterns. Through 41 cases, 10 at the forensic institute in Lille (France) and 31 at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (USA), plus 22 cases from the literature, specific locations and patterns of postmortem scavenging lesions are proposed. These lesions are mainly distributed in three locations: the face, especially the nose and the mouth (73.1%), the neck (43.1%), and the arm (shoulder/upper limb [29.2%], hand [26.8%]). We discuss the time span between death and scavenging, the consequences on identification, and comparison with outdoor settings. Outdoor scavenging lesions are mainly located on the trunk and limbs usually sparing the head, which strongly differs from indoor distribution and imply different animal motivations.

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“…(: 295) who stated that “bone lesions secondary to gunshot wounds are often nonspecific and may be simulated by other agents, such as blunt instruments.” Additionally, it must also be considered that more than one type of trauma may be present in a single skeleton and that more than one type of ammunition may have been involved in producing multiple defects (: 322). A final layer of complexity is introduced via taphonomic alteration by both abiotic and biotic agencies, which can produce lesions that resemble those produced by bullets or modify gunshot defects such that their macroscopic diagnosis is rendered more difficult (: 270,: 333,).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Gunshot Defects to Bone: An Underutilized Source of Information on Ballistic Trauma

Rickman

Smith

2014

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Recent years have seen increasing involvement by forensic anthropologists in the interpretation of skeletal trauma. With regard to ballistic injuries, there is now a large literature detailing gross features of such trauma; however, less attention has been given to microscopic characteristics. This article presents analysis of experimentally induced gunshot trauma in animal bone (Bos taurus scapulae) using full metal jacket (FMJ), soft point (SP), and captive bolt projectiles. The results were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additional analysis was conducted on a purported parietal gunshot lesion in a human cranial specimen. A range of features was observed in these samples suggesting that fibrolamellar bone response to projectile impact is analogous to that observed in synthetic composite laminates. The results indicate that direction of bullet travel can be discerned microscopically even when it is ambiguous on gross examination. It was also possible to distinguish SP from FMJ lesions. SEM analysis is therefore recommended as a previously underexploited tool in the analysis of ballistic trauma.

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Forensic implications of carnivore scavenging on human remains recovered from outdoor locations in Greece

Cited by 49 publications

References 22 publications

Human and non‐human taphonomic effects on faunal remains from the Late Upper Paleolithic: A case study from the Stránská skála IV site, Czech Republic

Human and non‐human taphonomic effects on faunal remains from the Late Upper Paleolithic: A case study from the Stránská skála IV site, Czech Republic

Specific Patterns of Canine Scavenging in Indoor Settings

Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Gunshot Defects to Bone: An Underutilized Source of Information on Ballistic Trauma

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