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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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01.09.2010 | Case Report

Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots

verfasst von: H. F. V. Cardoso, A. Santos, R. Dias, C. Garcia, M. Pinto, C. Sérgio, T. Magalhães

Erschienen in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Ausgabe 5/2010

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Abstract

This paper illustrates the usefulness and efficiency of botanical evidence in establishing a minimum postmortem interval (PMI). The case under analysis refers to the remains of an adult male in an advanced state of skeletonization recovered from a wooded area in northern Portugal. The skeleton showed several taphonomical changes, which included the presence of green algae, bryophytes, and growing shrub roots in, around, and through the remains. By determining the age of both the bryophytes and shrub roots, it was concluded that the minimum amount of time elapsed since death was 3 years, to which several months or a few years have to be added to account for the complete decomposition of the remains. The disappearance of the presumptive individual had occurred 6 years before and is fully consistent with the estimate of the PMI. This report illustrates a novel use of bryophytes in a forensic setting.

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Titel: Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots
verfasst von: H. F. V. Cardoso
A. Santos
R. Dias
C. Garcia
M. Pinto
C. Sérgio
T. Magalhães
Publikationsdatum: 01.09.2010
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Ausgabe 5/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Elektronische ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-009-0372-5

Springer Medizin

Establishing a minimum postmortem interval of human remains in an advanced state of skeletonization using the growth rate of bryophytes and plant roots

Abstract

Neu im Fachgebiet Rechtsmedizin

Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen im Wandel der Zeit

Vergleichende Pathologie in der onkologischen Forschung

Gastrointestinale Stromatumoren

Personalisierte Medizin in der Onkologie

Springer Medizin

Abstract

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