title: Decomposition of buried human bodies and associated death scene materials on coral atolls in the tropical Pacific.
abstract: The decomposition of bodies and the decay of associated cultural materials, including clothing, personal ornaments, caskets, and grave goods, was investigated based on a series of exhumations on a small sand island on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Decay data were documented for an interment period between 40 and 80 months.
authors.affiliation: Johnstone Centre of Parks, Recreation and Heritage, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Spennemann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Franke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002048:Burial / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013997:Time Factors; D014329:Tropical Climate