Modelling the buried human body environment in upland climes using three contrasting field sites

Area of Science:

• Forensic Taphonomy
• Environmental Forensics

Background:

• Understanding human decomposition is crucial for forensic investigations.
• Microenvironmental factors significantly influence decomposition rates.
• Limited research exists on how contrasting burial sites affect decomposition and grave microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential decomposition of buried human remains in varied microenvironments.
• To analyze the impact of soil conditions on cadaver decomposition.
• To understand changes within the grave microenvironment and their effect on biomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Three taphonomy experiments using pig (Sus scrofa) analogues as body surrogates.
• Burial at three contrasting field sites: pasture, moorland, and deciduous woodland.
• Monitoring of body decomposition, hair, textile materials, and grave microenvironment over 24 months.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of fat and soil samples.

Main Results:

• Soil conditions markedly affect the condition of buried remains, with variation even within sites.
• Soft tissue decomposition alters the grave's microenvironment (microbiological load, pH, moisture, redox status).
• Decomposition rates and patterns varied significantly across the three distinct burial environments.

Conclusions:

• Site-specific soil conditions are critical determinants of decomposition rates for buried human remains.
• Decomposition processes actively modify the immediate burial environment, impacting biomaterial preservation.
• Findings are applicable to clandestine burial investigations, time since deposition estimations, and understanding biomaterial degradation.