title: A Taphonomic Study Exploring the Differences in Decomposition Rate and Manner between Frozen and Never Frozen Domestic Pigs (Sus scrofa).
abstract: This research examined differences in decomposition rate and manner of domestic pig subjects (Sus scrofa) in never frozen (control) and previously frozen (experimental) research conditions. Eight control and experimental subjects were placed in an identical outdoor research environment. Daily quantitative and qualitative measurements were collected: abdominal circumference, total body score (TBS), temperature, photographs, descriptive decomposition stages, and visual observations. Field necropsies were performed at accumulated degree days (ADD) between 50 and 300 (Celsius). Paired samples t-tests of ADD to TBS >3.0, TBS >9.5, and TBS >16.0 indicate the rate of decomposition of experimental subjects was significantly slower than controls at both TBS >3 and >9.5 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). A suite of qualitative indicators of predecomposition freezing is also reported. The differences between experimental and control subjects suggest previously frozen subjects should not be used in taphonomic research, as results do not accurately reflect the "normal" taphonomic condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, 1000 Faner Drive, Mail Code 4502, Carbondale, IL, 62901.
authors.forename: Lindsey G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Gretchen R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Dabbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004777:Environment; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Sus scrofa; accumulated degree days; decomposition; forensic anthropology; forensic science; forensic taphonomy; frozen; postmortem interval