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Using Accumulated Degree-Days to Estimate the Postmortem Interval from Decomposed Human Remains
Abstract
Forensic anthropologists often rely on the state of decomposition to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) in a human remains case. The state of decomposition can provide much information about the PMI, especially when decomposition is treated as a semi-continuous variable and used in conjunction with accumulated-degree-days (ADD). This preliminary study demonstrates a supplemental method of determining the PMI based on scoring decomposition using a point-based system and taking into account temperatures in which the remains were exposed. This project was designed to examine the ways that forensic anthropologists could improve their PMI estimates based on decomposition by using a more quantitative approach. A total of 68 human remains cases with a known date of death were scored for decomposition and a regression equation was calculated to predict ADD from decomposition score. ADD accounts for approximately 80% of the variation in decomposition. This study indicates that decomposition is best modeled as dependent on accumulated temperature, not just time.
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A combination of TBS and ADD was first provided by Megyesi et al. to estimate PMI of humans based on decomposition stage and retrospective temperature.
“A combination of both was first provided by Megyesi et al. [181] to estimate PMI of humans based on decomposition stage and retrospective temperature.”
From Forensic experiments on animal scavenging: A systematic literature review on what we have and what we need (2023) · cites this paper as [181]
This method and subsequent validation studies do not account for animal scavenging.
“However, this method and subse quent validation studies do not account for animal scavenging.”
From Forensic experiments on animal scavenging: A systematic literature review on what we have and what we need (2023) · cites this paper as [181]
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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
- Megyesi, M., Nawrocki, S., & Haskell, N.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University 1 Department of Anthropology, , East Lansing, MI .
- University of Indianapolis 2 Associate Professor of Biology and Anthropology , , Indianapolis, IN .
- Saint Joseph's College (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Forensic Sciences
- Publisher
- ASTM International
- Published
- 2005-05-01
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 0022-1198 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2012956571
- Cited by
- 697
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 67 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 51 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 4.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Forensic Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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
- postmortem interval estimation, human remains decomposition, accumulated degree days, decomposition temperature, regression models
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Cause of Death, Child, Female, Humans, Indiana, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Pilot Projects, Postmortem Changes, Retrospective Studies, Temperature, Time Factors, Forensic Pathology
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