ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Flashlight, Tooth Loss, Aea
27 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
When we die, our bodies undergo the same chemical and physical decomposition if left untreated. Autolysis degeneration of body tissues by digestive fluids: self-digestion, self-breaking, potent acids and enzymes in the digestive tract. Putrefaction bacteria reproduce and start to consume tissues, muscles, etc. From most to least important: temperature, hot and dry is best for preservation. Increase in temperature = linear effect to growth rate of maggots: humidity, access by insects. Face: go after fractures, chew and gnaw at hard objects like long bones, once head comes lose, it becomes another target, trauma, stab wounds = another opening to get into. Insects can get in and lay their eggs: clothing, can sometimes slow down decomposition. Absence of insects: protects insects from direct sunlight. Involved in research, recovery, and analysis: badly decomposed, skeletonized. Do a biological profile: age, sex, ancestry. Forensic science on tv they do it all!
