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Related Experiment Video

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Providing Meaningful Environmental Enrichment and Measuring Saliva Cortisol in Pigs Housed on Slatted Flooring
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Decomposition Rate and Pattern in Hanging Pigs.

Jeanne Lynch-Aird1, Colin Moffatt1,2, Tal Simmons3

  • 1School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, U.K.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|August 8, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Pigs decomposed differently when hung versus on the ground. Hanging pigs decomposed faster overall, but insects and maggots influenced early decomposition stages.

Keywords:
accumulated degree daysdecompositionforensic anthropologyforensic sciencehangingpig carcassespostmortem interval

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Taphonomy
  • Decomposition Studies

Background:

  • Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) prediction relies on understanding decomposition.
  • Decomposition is influenced by environmental factors and carcass placement.
  • Human analogues are crucial for studying decomposition patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate decomposition rates and patterns in pigs.
  • To compare decomposition between surface-laid and suspended carcasses.
  • To develop a new decomposition scoring scale for aerial carcasses.

Main Methods:

  • A 60-day controlled experiment using 20 pig carcasses (Sus scrofa) in Northwest England.
  • Ten pigs were placed on the ground, and ten were suspended.
  • A novel decomposition scoring scale was developed for suspended pigs.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant differences (p=0.001) in decomposition rates between surface and suspended pigs.
  • Suspended pigs reached advanced decomposition faster but showed initial delays.
  • Insect access and maggot activity were identified as key influencing factors.

Conclusions:

  • Carcass suspension significantly alters decomposition dynamics compared to surface deposition.
  • Insect colonization and maggot behavior are critical in early decomposition stages.
  • Understanding these differences is vital for accurate PMI estimation in forensic investigations.