The DOI matches its Crossref record.
The Effect of Repeated Physical Disturbance on Soft Tissue Decomposition—Are Taphonomic Studies an Accurate Reflection of Decomposition?*
Abstract
Abstract: Although the relationship between decomposition and postmortem interval has been well studied, almost no studies examined the potential effects of physical disturbance occurring as a result of data collection procedures. This study compares physically disturbed rabbit carcasses with a series of undisturbed carcasses to assess the presence and magnitude of any effects resulting from repetitive disturbance. Decomposition was scored using visual assessment of soft tissue changes, and numerical data such as weight loss and carcass temperature were recorded. The effects of disturbance over time on weight loss, carcass temperature, soil pH and decomposition were studied. In addition, this study aimed to validate some of the anecdotal evidence regarding decomposition. Results indicate disturbance significantly inversely affects both weight loss and carcass temperature. No differences were apparent between groups for soil pH change or overall decomposition stage. An insect‐mediated mechanism for the disturbance effect is suggested, along with indications as to why this effect may be cancelled when scoring overall decomposition.
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Repeated disturbances at carcasses slowed down carcass weight loss and elongated time to scavenging onset.
“However, studies showed that repeated disturbances at carcasses slowed down carcass weight loss and elongated time to scavenging onset [74,179].”
From Forensic experiments on animal scavenging: A systematic literature review on what we have and what we need (2023) · cites this paper as [179]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Indra, L., Lösch, S., Errickson, D., & Finaughty, D. (2023) · Forensic Science International · doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111862 · Cited by 18
Terrestrial Salmon Carcass Decomposition: Nutrient and Isotopic Dynamics in Central Idaho
Wheeler, T. A., Kavanagh, K. L., & Daanen, S. A. (2014) · Northwest Science · doi:10.3955/046.088.0206 · Cited by 13
Metadata
- Authors
- Adlam, R. E., & Simmons, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Lancashire (GB)
- ORCID
- Simmons, Tal
- Venue
- Journal of Forensic Sciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-08-28
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1007-1014
- ISSN
- 0022-1198 (ISSN-L)
- 1556-4029
- OpenAlex
- W2089758534
- Cited by
- 141
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 5.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Forensic Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- CLOK (University of Central Lancashire) (submittedVersion)
- 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
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
- Keywords
- soft tissue decomposition, physical disturbance, taphonomy, postmortem interval estimation, carcass weight loss, carcass temperature, soil pH, rabbit carcasses, forensic entomology
- MeSH terms
- Analysis of Variance, Animals, Body Temperature, Body Weight, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Myiasis, Postmortem Changes, Rabbits, Soil, Forensic Anthropology, Models, Animal, Forensic Pathology
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