“Twice Bitten, Once SHY” Multi-Disciplinary Study of a Homicide Case

Abstract

The skeletal remains of a 54-year-old Caucasian male were found concealed in a wooded area near a campsite two years after his disappearance. Police had earlier located the deceased's truck at another location. Suspicions arose that following his death he had been burned at a nearby site; however, anthropological fieldwork did not reveal any human remains. After the discovery of the body, it was removed through the mutual coooperation of the police and anthropologists. Investigation showed skeletal features compatible with the missing individual's age, race and sex, and specific radiologic and osseous findings consistent with his medical history. Notably, there was evidence of an old shotgun injury of his leg, and the cause of death was a shotgun.injury to the torso area.This case illustrates that scene and post-mortem investigation of recovered skeletal remains is a multi-disciplinary effort involving police investigators, anthropologists and medical experts..