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Revista argentina de antropología biológica

On-line version ISSN 1514-7991

Abstract

NASTI, Atilio. Scavenging and scattering pig remains (Sus scrofa) in wetland contexts: forensic implications. Rev Arg Antrop Biol [online]. 2021, vol.23, n.2, 038.  Epub July 14, 2021. ISSN 1514-7991.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24215/18536387e038.

Scavengers are known to significantly alter a forensic scene by consuming and disarticulating remains, and scattering debris on the surface of the ground. For this reason, rapid identification of their presence is crucial in order to understand their consequences on forensic record. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the behavior of three scavengers: carancho (Caracara plancus), domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and Pampean fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) in wetland environments of the Province of Buenos Aires. A 25kg pig carcass (Sus scrofa) deposited on the surface of the ground was used as an emulation of a human corpse. The actions of the scavengers were recorded and evaluated over 37 days, observing their behavior, the sequence of their access to the remains, their disarticulation and dispersion. Directional scattering patterns were recorded, mostly generated by the behavior of each of the species. A relationship between the disarticulation and dispersion sequence is inferred with post mortem interval.

Keywords : scavenger activity; dispersion of anatomical elements; forensic taphonomy.

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