High-resolution environmental variability during decomposition in a UK humid temperate climate

Area of Science:

• Forensic Taphonomy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Environmental conditions significantly impact decomposition rates and post mortem interval (PMI) estimation.
• Limited availability of high-resolution environmental datasets hinders forensic taphonomy research.
• Understanding environmental influences is key to refining PMI prediction models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, high-resolution dataset of environmental conditions during decomposition.
• To analyze environmental variability in a UK humid temperate climate.
• To support advancements in forensic taphonomy and PMI estimation.

Main Methods:

• Hourly environmental data collected using a Steinberg Systems SBS-WS-100 weather station.
• Measurements included temperature, humidity, pressure, wind, dew point, and rainfall.
• Data recorded continuously over the decomposition period of Sus scrofa domesticus (May-August 2021).

Main Results:

• Detailed hourly records of key environmental variables were captured.
• Observed significant fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and rainfall, reflecting UK seasonal patterns.
• The dataset highlights the dynamic nature of environmental conditions during decomposition.

Conclusions:

• High-resolution environmental monitoring is essential for accurate PMI estimation.
• The publicly available dataset facilitates further research in forensic taphonomy.
• This data can be used for comparative studies and the development of decomposition models.