Skeletal Manifestations of Bear Scavenging

Carson, E. Ann; Stefan, Vincent H.; Powell, Joseph F.

doi:10.1520/jfs45305j

Cited by 48 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…Studies on invertebrate scavengers (insects) have been performed globally, including in Canada [13,[27][28][29], but only recently in the province of Quebec [17]. While the global literature reports the scavenging activity of mammalian species (e.g., coyote, domestic dog, bear, raccoon, rodents) [2,8,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], as well as avian species (e.g., vultures, crows, and other bird species) [4][5][6]24,38], only a limited number of these published studies have been carried out in Canada [23,39], and to date, none in the province of Quebec.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats

Séguin

Durand-Guévin

Lavallée

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Decomposition of human remains is a complex process impacted by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A less-studied extrinsic factor in forensic taphonomy are the scavengers that consume soft and hard tissue. Scavengers physically degrade and remove soft tissue, disperse, and destroy skeletal elements, which can make locating remains challenging. While invertebrate activity has been largely investigated, there is limited quantitative data available on vertebrate activity, particularly in Canada. This study aimed to determine which species (vertebrate and invertebrate) belong to the scavenger guilds in southern Quebec, and their potential taphonomic impact on the decomposition process. Two independent trials were conducted in 2020 using pig carcasses: one during summer in a forest habitat and one during fall in a grassland habitat. Each carcass was placed a minimum 100 m apart in semi-rural land. Vertebrate scavenger activity was recorded by continuous surveillance using trail cameras. Carcasses were also regularly visited to monitor the decomposition process and the activity of invertebrate scavengers. Overall, the vertebrate scavenger guilds included a narrow range of corvids, turkey vultures, coyotes, and skunks. The intensity of vertebrate scavengers was greater in the grassland habitat (fall), while the intensity of invertebrate scavengers was greater in the forest habitat (summer). With the exception of invertebrate scavengers, very few species visited during the fresh stage of decomposition, and the probability of body displacement increased as decomposition progressed. These results identify which scavengers have the greatest taphonomic impact and highlight the importance of incorporating scavenger impact when searching for human remains.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats

Séguin

Durand-Guévin

Lavallée

et al. 2021

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…En cuanto al zorro, estudios realizados sobre su población, demuestra que la secuencia de acceso a la carroña comienza por las extremidades traseras a las delanteras, seguida por el tórax que incluye la desarticulación y la dispersión de vértebras, costillas, esternón y escápulas (Carson, Stefan y Powell, 2000;García Putnam, 2014). En el caso de la UE 3, el zorro sólo pudo acceder y transportar al cuarto trasero libre de la atadura en el primer evento (día 16 IPM) y la pata trasera restante el 23 de IPM.…”

Section: Resultados Y Discusiónunclassified

Carroñeo y dispersión de restos de cerdo doméstico (Sus scrofa) en contextos de humedales: implicancias forenses

Nasti¹

2021

RevArgAntropBiol

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Se sabe que los carroñeros pueden alterar significativamente una escena forense consumiendo, desarticulando y dispersando restos sobre la superficie del suelo. En este contexto, una rápida identificación de su presencia, es crucial para comprender las consecuencias sobre el registro forense. El propósito de este trabajo es evaluar el comportamiento de tres carroñeros: carancho (Caracara plancus), perro doméstico (Canis familiaris) y zorro pampeano (Lycalopex gymnocercus) en ambientes de humedales de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Un cadáver de cerdo (Sus scrofa) de 25kg. depositado sobre la superficie del suelo se utilizó como emulación de un cadáver humano. Se registraron y evaluaron a lo largo de 37 días la acción de los carroñeros, observando su comportamiento, la secuencia de acceso a los restos, la desarticulación y la dispersión. Se identifican patrones direccionales de dispersión mayormente generados por el comportamiento de cada una de las diferentes especies. Se infiere una relación entre la secuencia de desarticulación y dispersión con el Intervalo Post Mortem.

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“…On bone, they produce similar damage to other large carnivores [110,111]. Nevertheless, some features are deemed characteristic of bears.…”

Section: Ursids (Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae)mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Nevertheless, some features are deemed characteristic of bears. For instance, Carson et al (2000) found that they preferably exploit the axillary skeleton (vertebral column and rib cage) while canids concentrate on the extremities and inner organs [111]. However, this finding was not confirmed by a pig cadaver study, where bears preferred limbs over the axial skeleton [107].…”

Section: Ursids (Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

Indra

Errickson

Young

et al. 2022

Biology

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Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the deceased. Animal scavenging is a relatively common occurrence in forensic investigations. Even so, studies on the subject are scattered and rare, with most focussing on geographical areas outside of Europe. For that reason, we intend to collate the literature to provide an account of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers in Europe, their impacts on human remains, and their implications for forensic investigations. Here, we provide an overview of forensic aspects where the knowledge of animal scavenging is crucial, as well as an account of potential scavengers of human remains in Europe and their typical alterations to soft tissue and, in particular, to bones. In addition, we are the first to provide a guide for forensic practitioners to identify the presence of vertebrate scavenging and subsequently inform outdoor search strategies for affected human remains.

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Skeletal Manifestations of Bear Scavenging

Cited by 48 publications

References 0 publications

The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats

The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats

Carroñeo y dispersión de restos de cerdo doméstico (Sus scrofa) en contextos de humedales: implicancias forenses

Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

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