The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- J Forensic Sci, 2022, 67, (2), pp. 460-470
- Issue Date:
- 2022-01-01
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Journal of Forensic Sciences - 2021 - S guin - The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer.pdf | 596.28 kB | Adobe PDF |
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Full metadata record
Field | Value | Language |
---|---|---|
dc.contributor.author | Séguin, K | |
dc.contributor.author | Durand-Guévin, A | |
dc.contributor.author | Lavallée, C | |
dc.contributor.author | Ouimet, F | |
dc.contributor.author | Maisonhaute, J-É | |
dc.contributor.author | Watson, CJ | |
dc.contributor.author | Forbes, SL | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-02-03T03:16:53Z | |
dc.date.available | 2021-10-20 | |
dc.date.available | 2023-02-03T03:16:53Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2022-01-01 | |
dc.identifier.citation | J Forensic Sci, 2022, 67, (2), pp. 460-470 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0022-1198 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1556-4029 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165881 | |
dc.description.abstract | Decomposition of human remains is a complex process impacted by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A less-studied extrinsic factor in forensic taphonomy are the scavengers that consume soft and hard tissue. Scavengers physically degrade and remove soft tissue, disperse, and destroy skeletal elements, which can make locating remains challenging. While invertebrate activity has been largely investigated, there is limited quantitative data available on vertebrate activity, particularly in Canada. This study aimed to determine which species (vertebrate and invertebrate) belong to the scavenger guilds in southern Quebec, and their potential taphonomic impact on the decomposition process. Two independent trials were conducted in 2020 using pig carcasses: one during summer in a forest habitat and one during fall in a grassland habitat. Each carcass was placed a minimum 100 m apart in semi-rural land. Vertebrate scavenger activity was recorded by continuous surveillance using trail cameras. Carcasses were also regularly visited to monitor the decomposition process and the activity of invertebrate scavengers. Overall, the vertebrate scavenger guilds included a narrow range of corvids, turkey vultures, coyotes, and skunks. The intensity of vertebrate scavengers was greater in the grassland habitat (fall), while the intensity of invertebrate scavengers was greater in the forest habitat (summer). With the exception of invertebrate scavengers, very few species visited during the fresh stage of decomposition, and the probability of body displacement increased as decomposition progressed. These results identify which scavengers have the greatest taphonomic impact and highlight the importance of incorporating scavenger impact when searching for human remains. | |
dc.format | Print-Electronic | |
dc.language | eng | |
dc.publisher | Wiley | |
dc.relation.ispartof | J Forensic Sci | |
dc.relation.isbasedon | 10.1111/1556-4029.14929 | |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess | |
dc.subject | 0399 Other Chemical Sciences, 0699 Other Biological Sciences, 1103 Clinical Sciences | |
dc.subject.classification | Legal & Forensic Medicine | |
dc.subject.mesh | Animals | |
dc.subject.mesh | Birds | |
dc.subject.mesh | Ecosystem | |
dc.subject.mesh | Feeding Behavior | |
dc.subject.mesh | Postmortem Changes | |
dc.subject.mesh | Quebec | |
dc.subject.mesh | Seasons | |
dc.subject.mesh | Swine | |
dc.subject.mesh | Animals | |
dc.subject.mesh | Birds | |
dc.subject.mesh | Swine | |
dc.subject.mesh | Postmortem Changes | |
dc.subject.mesh | Feeding Behavior | |
dc.subject.mesh | Ecosystem | |
dc.subject.mesh | Seasons | |
dc.subject.mesh | Quebec | |
dc.subject.mesh | Animals | |
dc.subject.mesh | Birds | |
dc.subject.mesh | Ecosystem | |
dc.subject.mesh | Feeding Behavior | |
dc.subject.mesh | Postmortem Changes | |
dc.subject.mesh | Quebec | |
dc.subject.mesh | Seasons | |
dc.subject.mesh | Swine | |
dc.title | The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in southern Quebec during summer and fall in two distinct habitats. | |
dc.type | Journal Article | |
utslib.citation.volume | 67 | |
utslib.location.activity | United States | |
utslib.for | 0399 Other Chemical Sciences | |
utslib.for | 0699 Other Biological Sciences | |
utslib.for | 1103 Clinical Sciences | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences | |
utslib.copyright.status | closed_access | * |
pubs.consider-herdc | false | |
dc.date.updated | 2023-02-03T03:16:52Z | |
pubs.issue | 2 | |
pubs.publication-status | Published online | |
pubs.volume | 67 | |
utslib.citation.issue | 2 |
Abstract:
Decomposition of human remains is a complex process impacted by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A less-studied extrinsic factor in forensic taphonomy are the scavengers that consume soft and hard tissue. Scavengers physically degrade and remove soft tissue, disperse, and destroy skeletal elements, which can make locating remains challenging. While invertebrate activity has been largely investigated, there is limited quantitative data available on vertebrate activity, particularly in Canada. This study aimed to determine which species (vertebrate and invertebrate) belong to the scavenger guilds in southern Quebec, and their potential taphonomic impact on the decomposition process. Two independent trials were conducted in 2020 using pig carcasses: one during summer in a forest habitat and one during fall in a grassland habitat. Each carcass was placed a minimum 100 m apart in semi-rural land. Vertebrate scavenger activity was recorded by continuous surveillance using trail cameras. Carcasses were also regularly visited to monitor the decomposition process and the activity of invertebrate scavengers. Overall, the vertebrate scavenger guilds included a narrow range of corvids, turkey vultures, coyotes, and skunks. The intensity of vertebrate scavengers was greater in the grassland habitat (fall), while the intensity of invertebrate scavengers was greater in the forest habitat (summer). With the exception of invertebrate scavengers, very few species visited during the fresh stage of decomposition, and the probability of body displacement increased as decomposition progressed. These results identify which scavengers have the greatest taphonomic impact and highlight the importance of incorporating scavenger impact when searching for human remains.
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