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Cited by 46Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesAutopsy Techniques and Outcomes

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Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

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Indra, Lara, Errickson, David, Young, Alexandria, Lösch, Sandra·2022·Biology
DOI 10.3390/biology11040601PMC PMC9027482
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Abstract

Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the deceased. Animal scavenging is a relatively common occurrence in forensic investigations. Even so, studies on the subject are scattered and rare, with most focussing on geographical areas outside of Europe. For that reason, we intend to collate the literature to provide an account of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers in Europe, their impacts on human remains, and their implications for forensic investigations. Here, we provide an overview of forensic aspects where the knowledge of animal scavenging is crucial, as well as an account of potential scavengers of human remains in Europe and their typical alterations to soft tissue and, in particular, to bones. In addition, we are the first to provide a guide for forensic practitioners to identify the presence of vertebrate scavenging and subsequently inform outdoor search strategies for affected human remains.

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  • To quantify scavenger habituation, an ecological baseline prior to the first carcasses being deployed is needed.

    “To quantify scavenger habitu­ ation, an ecological baseline prior to the first carcasses being deployed is needed [14,26].”

    From Forensic experiments on animal scavenging: A systematic literature review on what we have and what we need (2023) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Discussion recommends more consistent study design and documentation, but does not say that quantifying scavenger habituation requires an ecological baseline before the first carcasses are deployed. Searches for habituation, pre-deployment baselines, and repeated carcass placement found no passage addressing that requirement. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Metadata

Authors
Indra, L., Errickson, D., Young, A., & Lösch, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • Cranfield University (GB)
  • Independent Researcher, Bournemouth BH12 5BB, UK
Corresponding author
Indra, Lara
ORCID
Venue
Biology
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-04-15
Volume
11
Issue
4
Pages
601
ISSN
2079-7737 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/biology11040601
PMC
PMC9027482
OpenAlex
W4223936749
Cited by
46
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3
FWCI
0.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • CERES (Cranfield University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
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
vertebrate scavengers, forensic taphonomy, human remains, bone modification, perimortem trauma, identification of the deceased, Europe

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