Baboon taphonomy and its relevance to the investigation of large felid involvement in human forensic cases

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Travis Rayne Pickering, Kristian J Carlson

Abstract

Eight complete baboon carcasses were fed individually to two captive leopards. These experimental feedings generated two separate bone assemblages, one composed of those bone specimens not ingested by the leopards (i.e., the refuse assemblage), and one composed of those bone specimens ingested and subsequently voided by the leopards (i.e., the scat assemblage). The two assemblages are separable using measurements of skeletal part representation. Distinguishing characteristics of the assemblages are summarized and explained in relation to observations of leopard feeding behavior and intrinsic qualities of baboon postcranial bones (i.e., bulk bone mineral density, maximum length, volume and cross-sectional area). Because baboons and humans share the fundamental primate body plan, these baboon carcasses approximate human cadavers ravaged by large felids. Thus, our results can inform death scene investigators about the expected human body part representation in large felid feeding residues versus those expected in regurgitations and feces. Since different body parts have different body-identification potentials, knowing these expected differences in body part representation is particularly valuable in forensic settings.

References

Mar 21, 1995·Forensic Science International : Synergy·M Y Işcan, B Q McCabe

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Citations

May 9, 2012·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Jonathan D Bethard, Billie L Seet
Nov 8, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Yonatan SahleTim D White
Sep 1, 2019·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Craig A KeyesD Brits
Nov 8, 2018·PloS One·Naomi L MartisiusEllen Schulz-Kornas
Dec 26, 2018·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Travis Rayne PickeringDominic Stratford
Nov 20, 2016·Journal of Forensic Sciences·James T PokinesTara L Moore
May 13, 2006·The Journal of General Virology·Timothy GorrillMartyn K White
Aug 30, 2021·Forensic Science International : Synergy·C A KeyesD Brits

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