Forensics Week 05 Flashcards
What is taphonomy
the study of the laws of burial
Forensic taphonomy is a subfield of what
Forensic anthropology
Disarticulation depends on what
The strength of the individual joints and the amount of associated connective tissue
What is the sequences for disarticulation
skull and mandible>vertebrea>limbs
Which bones survive more often
larger bones
What us bio taphonomy
Examines the remains to determine decomposition/destruction of hard and soft tissues occured
What are the three broad catergories of bio taphonomy
Individual factors
Environmental factors (Biotic, Abiotic)
Behavioural factors
What is bone modification
Any alteration to individual bones such as cracking and abrasion
What are individual factors
traits that the deceased brings to the decomposition process. Such as genetic makeup, physical activity prio to death and bone strength after death
Why are childrens bones more suseptable to degradation
Bone mineral content decreases over the first 12 months before increasing again
What bones are more susceptible to crushing
elderly bones
What is biotic environmental factor
related to the actions of biological organisms such as worms
What is abiotic environmental factor
Related to the action of non living factors such as temperature
Can plants move bones through the soil profile
Yes, with the roots
What is Bioturbation
movement of objects through the soil profile due to the activity of biological organisms
Who created the 6 stage weathering system
Behrenmeyer in 1978
What are the end stages of bone decoposition
Boil meal and soil sihouette
What is bone meal
Bone dust arranged in the shape of bones
A rise in 10 degrees C results in what
double the chemical and biological reactions
After how many metres does soil temperature not change
10
What happens when no water is present
Microbobes and insects don’t have enough moisture to grow in large numbers, thus overall decay rate is decreased
What type of soil results in a greater rate of tissue decay
Well drained soil
Poorly drained soil results in what
Slower decay due to waterlogging
What are behavioural factors
The actions of humans that affect the remains
What are the 6 signs of cannibalism
Perimortem breakage Anvil abrasions Cut Marks Burning Under representation of verterbrae Pot Polish
What is geo taphonomy
The study of how someone who buries a body and how the body itself, affects the surrounding environment
