Dehydration-Induced alterations to sharp force trauma on Sus domesticus radii

Area of Science:

• Forensic Taphonomy
• Skeletal Biology

Background:

• Dehydration is a common taphonomic process affecting skeletal remains.
• Limited research exists on dehydration's impact on sharp force trauma analysis in forensic contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify the effects of dehydration on skeletal elements with sharp force trauma.
• To address literature gaps concerning dehydration's influence on forensic case analysis.

Main Methods:

• Controlled laboratory experiment using domestic pig (Sus domesticus) radii samples (n=36).
• Knife trauma was inflicted, followed by laboratory-induced dehydration.
• Pre- and post-dehydration measurements of bone and kerf mark dimensions (length, width, area) were taken using ImageJ.

Main Results:

• Significant shrinkage (p ≤ 0.001) was observed in all measured parameters post-dehydration.
• Bone sample area decreased by an average of 8.8%, while kerf mark area decreased by an average of 29.7%.
• Correlations between bone and kerf mark shrinkage varied from weak to strong depending on the dimension measured.

Conclusions:

• Dehydration-induced shrinkage significantly alters skeletal dimensions and trauma characteristics.
• Findings indicate potential impacts on anthropological analysis in forensic investigations.
• Further research is necessary to fully understand and account for dehydration effects on skeletal trauma.