Taphonomy of Human Remains: Forensic Analysis of the Dead and the Depositional Environment

Content: Title Page
 Copyright
 Table of Contents
 List of Contributors
 Notes on Contributors
 Foreword
 Acknowledgements
 Introduction
 I.1 Efremov: from Taphonomy to Science Fiction
 I.2 The Meaning of Taphonomy
 I.3 The Rationale Behind this Volume
 I.4 Challenges in Forensic Taphonomy
 I.5 Organisation of the Volume
 References
 Part I: General Post-Mortem Processes: Degradation of Soft Tissue, Bone and Associated Materials
 Chapter 1: Gross Post-Mortem Changes in the Human Body
 1.1 Introduction
 1.2 The Immediate Post-Mortem Period
 1.3 Subsequent Weeks
 1.4 Other Post-Mortem Modifications 1.5 Skeletonisation1.6 Conclusion and Future Research
 References
 Cited court cases
 Chapter 2: Microscopic Post-Mortem Changes: the Chemistry of Decomposition
 2.1 Introduction
 2.2 Autolysis
 2.3 Putrefaction
 2.4 Factors Affecting Autolysis and Putrefaction
 2.5 Impact of the Decomposition Process on the Surrounding Environment
 2.6 Conclusion
 References
 Chapter 3: Profiling Volatile Organic Compounds of Decomposition
 3.1 Introduction
 3.2 Matrices and Sampling Methods
 3.3 Results and Discussion
 3.4 Conclusion and Future Research
 References Chapter 4: Blood Degradation and Bloodstain Age Estimation4.1 Introduction: Forensic relevance of bloodstains
 4.2 Blood Degradation
 4.3 Mechanical and Morphological Changes
 4.4 Optical Methods
 4.5 Practical Implementation
 4.6 Crime Scene Challenges of Bloodstain Age Estimation
 4.7 Conclusion
 References
 Chapter 5: DNA Degradation: Current Knowledge and Progress in DNA Analysis
 5.1 Introduction
 5.2 Mechanisms of DNA Degradation
 5.3 Preservation of DNA: Recommendations Concerning Sampling and Storage
 5.4 Methodologies to Analyse Degraded DNA
 5.5 Future Prospects
 5.6 Conclusion 8.5 Environment, Culture or Both?8.6 Dry Environments
 8.7 Bog Environments
 8.8 Cold Environments
 8.9 Anaerobic Environments
 8.10 Differential Decomposition
 8.11 Post-Depositional Factors and Taphonomic Impact
 8.12 Conclusion
 References
 Chapter 9: Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments
 9.1 Introduction
 9.2 The Structures and Properties of Clothing Materials
 9.3 Decomposition Mechanisms of Clothing Materials in Depositional Environments
 9.4 The Influence of Clothing on the Decomposition Processes
 9.5 Forensic and Archaeological Studies of Clothing Degradation