Final Exam Textbook Notes Flashcards by Allyson Berry

Taphonomy

(def) study of everything that happens to biological organisms from the time of death to discovery
-coined by Ivan Efremov
-reconstructs events relating to deposition, dispersion, and modification of human remains

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Forensic Taphonomy

(def) study/interpretation of postmortem modifications to the body

aids in…
-differentiating antemortem/perimortem events
-estimating post mortem interval (PMI)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Algor mortis

cooling of the body after death

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Liver mortis (also called hypostasis)

the pooling of blood at low points in the body due to lack of circulation
-causes discoloration

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Rigor mortis

muscle stiffening due to lack of ATP
-typically appears in face/jaw first
-peaks at 12 hours

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Decomposition

process by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms, occurs in 2 processes: autolysis and putrefaction
-skin slippage

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

ATP

(adenosine triphosphate) molecule required to release muscles and prevent stiffening, when they run out after death rigor mortis occurs

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Autolysis

(self-digestion) deconstruction of cells through the action of their own enzymes
-typically most rapid in stomach/pancreas
-more predominant in arid environments

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Putrefaction, Intravascular Hemolysis, Marbling

*Putrefaction: deterioration of tissues caused by bacteria - causes color change (process called IH)
*Intravascular Hemolysis: bacteria increase in circulatory system - causes marbling
*Marbling: significant darkening of vessels caused by IH

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Mummification

preservation through desiccation or drying out of remains

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Saponification, Adipocere

conversion of fatty tissue to adipocere (white waxy substance)
-usually occurs in moist environments

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Differential Decomposition

premature, irregular, or disproportional decomposition in areas of the body
3 causes
-injury that exposes blood/tissue
-exposure to physical/chemical agents
-prior bacterial infection

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Skeletonization

completion of soft tissue decomp where only hard tissue of skeleton remains

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Diagenesis

refers to chemical, physical, or biological change to the skeleton after initial deposition, including those processes that result in fossilization

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Forensic Entomology

study of anthropods, including insects, arachnids, etc
-can include the study of insect infestations
-used to aid in determining PMI
-necrophagous: scavenging insect

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Carnivoras

scavenging mammals with carnassials (special teeth) used for shearing - often leave pits, scores, and furrows on remains

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Fluvial Transport

the movement of remains due to aquatic environments

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Estimating Post-Mortem-Interval (PMI)

Early Est.: algor, rigor, and livor mortis exam
Late Est.: insect activity, decomp rate of soft tissue, ADD

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Accumulated Degree Days (ADD)

represents the sum of the average daily temps, used in reference to estimate PMI

Submerged Remains Estimations

PMSI (postmortem submersion interval) estimated the same as PMI
Affecting Factors
-moving vs stagnant water
-salinity/pH (decomp faster in fresh water)
-terrestrial flies
-algae growth

Ways human agents alter remains (3)

1) dismemberment
2) application of chemicals
3) burning of remains

Forensic Archaeology

application of arch. methods to medicolegal and humanitarian issues
Include methods of…
-searching for/locating remains
-sampling/recording
-interpreting evidence

Surface Scenes

remains are deposited on the surface of the ground (not deliberately buried or submerged) - these are often scattered

Burial Scenes

remains that are deliberately (interred) buried
-not visible on surface
-clandestine graves (by perpetrators)

Submerged Scenes

involve remains in water -includes remains that are floating, resting on the bottom, or suspended in between -remains can become scattered over large areas through fluvial transport

Phases of Archaeological Investigations

1) Phase I: systematic search 2) Phase II: Evaluation of an area for significance 3) Phase III: Recovery 4) Phase IV: Interpretation and Reporting

Phase I: Systematic Search

involves locating areas that may warrant further investigation and/or excluding areas for further investigation -primarily involves surface recovery

Phase II: Evaluation of an area for significance

subsurface surveys used to determine site boundaries and focal areas -includes surveys to determine site boundaries

Phase III: Recovery

material of interest is systematically recovered/preserved -includes excavation and collection

Phase IV: Interpretation and Reporting

involves the report/interpretations based on the previous 3 phases

Detection/Search Methods (3)

1) Line Search: multiple searchers forming a straight line over the area 2) Subsurface Probing: probe the ground to see where it's been disturbed 3) Infrared Imaging: detects differences in the release of stored energy (disturbed soil = less hot)

*In Situ (def)

in its original position/place

*datum (def)

a reference point in a scene at which measurements are taken

*pedestal(ing)

an excavation technique where evidence is left in situ until the entire unit is excavated -not recommended due to his destruction of evidence

Triangulation (scene doc)

measures the angles to evidence points from a line between two known points (reference points)

Trilateration (scene doc)

measuring the distance to a point from 2 known points

Baseline (scene doc)

a line is cut through the scene transversely and every point of evidence is measured from it

Azimuth (scene doc)

measurements from a fixed point

Grid (scene doc)

quadrants formed and search is performed within each section

Humanitarian, Human Rights

Humanitarian: concerned with human welfare -assist the living, respect the deceased, establish marked burial locations -identify unknown remains, return remains to family HR: rights belonging to all persons -protect individuals/communities, hold perps accountable

Judicial, Extrajudicial

Judicial: legal and authorized ExtraJudicial: not legally authorized

Structural Violence

systematic ways social structures or institutions harm or disadvantage certain groups

*What is the primary difference between humanitarian and human rights investigations?

Humanitarian investigations are solved without judicial prosecutions, human rights investigations are based on judicial investigations

*Clyde Snow

began humanitarian and human rights investigations

Purpose of the ICRC

(international committee of the red cross) assist local authorities in humanitarian law - regarding remains management and informing families

Purpose of DPAA

(defense POW/MIA accounting agency) account for missing Americans from past conflicts