Septic Tank Burial: Not Just Another Skeleton in the Closet

Lew, Emma O.; Bannach, Bernard G.; Rodriguez, William C.

doi:10.1520/jfs14018j

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…and "what is the cause of death?" Whilst homicides with disposal of the bodies in pits have rarely been reported [22,29]. Case reports on occupational accidents have been reported more often due to their relevance for occupational safety.…”

Section: Phenomenological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Death may come on like a stroke of lightening ...”

Oesterhelweg

Püschel

2007

Int J Legal Med

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Due to the decomposition of biological material, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is produced. In low concentrations, the well-known smell of "rotten eggs" is associated with H2S. In higher concentrations, H2S is an odourless and colourless gas that may cause rapid loss of consciousness, neurological and respiratory depression and imminent death--"... like a stroke of lightening". Hydrogen sulphide poisoning is an un-common incident that is often associated with colleague fatalities. In this study, 4 fatal accidents with 10 deceased victims are reported and the morphological and phenomenological aspects are presented. In these cases, the morphological findings, namely, discolouration of the livores, pulmonary pathologies and sub-mucosal or sub-serosal congestion bleeding were found in nearly all cases. Also the impending threat for colleagues, first aid helpers and professional rescue teams is demonstrated. The suspicion of a fatal H2S intoxication should be based on a precise scene analysis with respect to the possibility of life-threatening H2S intoxication for the helpers, the typical scent of rotten eggs, which may be noted on the corpses and the abovementioned morphological findings. The diagnosis should be confirmed by a qualitative and, if possible, quantitative analysis of H2S.

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Section: Phenomenological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Death may come on like a stroke of lightening ...”

Oesterhelweg

Püschel

2007

Int J Legal Med

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An unusual occupational accident: fall into a sewage plant tank with lethal outcome

Padosch

Dettmeyer

Kröner

et al. 2005

Forensic Science International

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Twenty-Seven Years of Forensic Anthropology Casework in New Mexico

Komar

2003

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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A review of anthropological consult cases for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator was conducted for the years 1974 through 2000. A total of 596 cases are summarized and information is presented on the sex and age of the individuals, season of recovery, depositional environment, body covering, time since death, perimortem trauma, postmortem animal activity, and skeletal element recovery. Results reveal a higher percentage of male victims (76%). No variation is seen in the seasonal distribution of cases. In cases with known time since death, 35% were recovered within one week while 30% had a postmortem interval exceeding one year. Depositional environments include surface (45%), burial (13%), and airplane crashes (9.5%). In 42% of the cases, no evidence of perimortem trauma was observed. Postmortem animal activity was noted in 46% of cases. Data presented in this study may prove useful in supporting expert witness testimony and generating future research models.

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Septic Tank Burial: Not Just Another Skeleton in the Closet

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

“Death may come on like a stroke of lightening ...”

“Death may come on like a stroke of lightening ...”

An unusual occupational accident: fall into a sewage plant tank with lethal outcome

Twenty-Seven Years of Forensic Anthropology Casework in New Mexico

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