Abstract

The forensic anthropologist is often tasked with analyzing skeletal trauma and determining time since death. Differentiating between perimortem and postmortem fractures can be difficult when bone retains fresh characteristics in the postmortem interval. As a result, it is important to conduct research that investigates timing of injury in the postmortem period by observing fracture characteristics created at known postmortem intervals. Investigation into the timing of injury was undertaken in this study over a four month time period. By fracturing bones using a custom impact device, specific morphological characteristics that are typically used in trauma analysis were created for analysis. Long bones of pigs (Sus scrofa) (N=140) were placed in two separate outdoor environments: full sun and full shade. Five bones were collected from each environment weekly and subsequently fractured. A control group consisting of 5 fresh bones was fractured to simulate perimortem trauma. Analysis of fracture characteristics was completed using a standardized protocol that was modified from previous studies, evaluating the fracture angle, fracture surface, and fracture outline. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between and among these variables. The results of this study denote a discernable relationship between fracture characteristics and the postmortem interval, indicating a significant shift in the occurrence of these variables as the postmortem interval increases. As the postmortem interval increases, there is a trend toward primarily dry fracture characteristics. Additionally, statistical analysis indicates that the environment in which the bones are deposited has a significant effect on the fracture surface and outline as the postmortem interval increases. This study found that intrinsic dry fracture characteristics were observed as early as two weeks postmortem. These results suggest that it is possible to distinguish wet from dry fracture characteristics earlier in the Central Florida region than previously reported in the literature. These findings support the use of taphonomic models developed according to geographic region. Environmental factors are regionally specific, potentially complicating reconstruction of post-depositional history. The use of taphonomic models and standardized protocols for analysis provides increased accuracy in taphonomic analyses and estimation of the post-mortem interval in forensic casework.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2015

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Schultz, John

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Degree Program

Anthropology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0006219

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0006219

Language

English

Release Date

February 2016

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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