[Biodegradation of Carcasses in Aquatic Biocoenoses]

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Marine Biology
• Ecology

Background:

• Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, often leaving submerged remains unrecovered or unidentified.
• Aquatic decomposition presents unique challenges compared to terrestrial decomposition.
• Factors influencing aquatic decomposition include temperature, oxygen, depth, and necrophagous organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complexities of aquatic decomposition processes.
• To identify key organisms and factors affecting soft tissue degradation and skeletonization in aquatic environments.
• To discuss methods for estimating the postmortem submersion interval.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on aquatic decomposition.
• Analysis of the roles of various marine and freshwater organisms in soft tissue degradation.
• Examination of biological indicators for estimating time since submersion.

Main Results:

• Aquatic decomposition is nonlinear, affected by environmental conditions and scavenger activity.
• Marine ecosystems feature crustaceans, fish, and invertebrates (e.g., Osedax worms) causing rapid skeletonization and bioerosion.
• Freshwater environments involve leeches, flatworms, insects, and crustaceans in organic material recycling.

Conclusions:

• The variable rate of aquatic decomposition complicates postmortem submersion interval estimation.
• Biological indicators, such as barnacle developmental stages, are crucial for forensic investigations.
• Understanding aquatic decomposition is vital for identifying drowning victims and aiding forensic science.