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Cited by 15Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesWildlife Ecology and Conservation

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Identifying forensically relevant urban scavengers in Johannesburg, South Africa

Keyes, Craig Adam, Myburgh, Jolandie, Brits, Desiré·2022·Science & Justice
DOI 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.04.007
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Abstract

Unidentified human remains are frequently recovered in urban environments in South Africa, which undergo forensic (medico-legal) investigations. These remains often exhibit animal scavenging modifications and are frequently scattered by animals. This impacts the collection and forensic analysis of the remains. This study aimed to identify scavenging animals present in two urban environments in Johannesburg, South Africa, and describe their scavenging and scattering behaviours. Six pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) (30-80 kg) were placed in a veldt in Johannesburg and in an abandoned building complex. Motion-activated cameras recorded the scavenging activities. Scavenger species were identified and their behaviours, scattering pattern, and scavenging bone modifications were described. Slender mongooses (Galerella sanguinea) were the most prolific veldt scavengers. They scattered remains to a maximum distance of 10.5 m in two directions: north and southeast. These mongooses scavenged during the advanced and dry decomposition stages. Gnawing on the angle of the mandible - with multiple parallel scores on the flat surfaces and the angle margin having a stepped appearance - may be a distinguishing scavenging modification feature of the slender mongoose. Hadeda ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) were the only scavengers recorded scavenging on the intestines of a pig carcass in the abandoned building complex. They favoured colonizing insects and created multiple, large holes in the skin…

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Metadata

Authors
Keyes, C. A., Myburgh, J., & Brits, D.
Affiliations
  • University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
  • University of Pretoria (ZA)
Corresponding author
Keyes, Craig Adam
ORCID
Venue
Science & Justice
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-05
Volume
62
Issue
3
Pages
399-409
ISSN
1355-0306 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.scijus.2022.04.007
OpenAlex
W4224046717
Cited by
15
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Science & Justice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UpSpace Institutional Repository (University of Pretoria) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Justice
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
human remains, unidentified human remains
MeSH terms
Animals, Cadaver, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Herpestidae, Postmortem Changes, South Africa

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