title: Post mortem cohabitation-shell growth as a measure of elapsed time: a case report.
abstract: A partial calvaria, dredged from the sea-bed some years previously, was referred to us for examination. The presence of a well-established mollusc colony on the vault allowed us to establish a minimum elapsed time since death. Such a cross-disciplinary co-operative study is of great advantage in expediting a satisfactory conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. john.dennison@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kieser
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Buckeridge
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000502:physiology; D045483:Rivers; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology*; D001468:Thoracica / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors