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Cited by 26Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesForensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesAutopsy Techniques and Outcomes

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Forensic anthropology casework from Switzerland (Bern): Taphonomic implications for the future

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Indra, Lara, Lösch, Sandra·2021·Forensic Science International: Reports
DOI 10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100222
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Abstract

Retrospective, observational studies of forensic casework enhance knowledge on topics such as postmortem interval (PMI) estimations and search strategies. This 10-year survey of forensic anthropology (FA) casework performed at the Department of Physical Anthropology in the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern, Switzerland, provides insights into a variety of human bone cases recovered in different circumstances. In this study, we present 58 cases from our forensic database. The surveyed forensic cases comprise a high proportion of dispersed remains, leading to low recovery rates. In addition, about a third of the cases were discovered in the Swiss Alps. Future studies and research should concentrate on enhancing the recovery rate in outdoor forensic scenes and on research in PMI estimation. This is especially important for remains found in high altitudes, because due to the melting glaciers, we expect more previously covered and frozen remains to be released in the following years. Systematic, longitudinal case reviews further provide a reference that can be used to refer to in FA expertises.

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Metadata

Authors
Indra, L., & Lösch, S.
Affiliations
University of Bern (CH)
Corresponding author
Lösch, Sandra
ORCID
Venue
Forensic Science International: Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-11
Volume
4
Pages
100222
ISSN
2665-9107 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100222
OpenAlex
W3178882126
Cited by
26
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5
FWCI
17.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Forensic Science International Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
Keywords
taphonomy, postmortem interval estimation, glacier melt, forensic databases

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