We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The Effect of Clothing on the Decomposition of Human Remains.
- Authors
Capobianco, Robyn A.; Christensen, Angi M.
- Abstract
The relation between clothing and the rate of human decomposition is still unclear despite previous research. Some suggest that clothing accelerates decomposition; others indicate that it may slow decomposition. The use of pig models in many of these studies may contribute to this discrepancy. Here we present the results of a pilot study that examined six clothed human cadavers at the University of Tennessee Anthropology Research Facility for a period of one year and compared observations with those documented for unclothed specimens at the same facility using a decomposition scoring approach along with accumulated degree days (ADD). More ADD were required for clothed specimens to reach later decomposition stages, though differences were not highly significant, suggesting that clothing may slow the rate of decomposition, at least in East Tennessee. The amount of clothing worn appears to have an effect.
- Subjects
ANTHROPOLOGY; HUMAN decomposition; BIODEGRADATION; FORENSIC anthropology laboratories; CHEMICAL decomposition
- Publication
Journal of Forensic Identification, 2017, Vol 67, Issue 3, p379
- ISSN
0895-173X
- Publication type
Article