Fluorescence of various buried fresh and fresh-frozen-thawed tissue types up until the point of active decay: a human taphonomy study.

ABSTRACT: Forensic taphonomy is the study of postmortem changes of human remains for the purpose of answering legal investigative questions. Many variables can affect the pattern and rate of decomposition of remains, posing challenges for taphonomic studies and estimation of the postmortem interval. Given the gap in knowledge regarding the suitability of using frozen remains to extrapolate conclusions to fresh material, investigating the effects of freeze-thaw cycles followed by burial on human remains is vital for forensic practice and taphonomic research. This study explored the impact of a freeze-thaw cycle and subsequent burial on human tissue decomposition under semi-controlled field conditions. Fresh and fresh-frozen-thawed hands were buried at the Amsterdam Research Initiative for Sub-surface

SUBMITTER: Charlot E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11850421 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature