ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 13

Tooth Mark Artifacts and Survival of Bones in Animal Scavenged Human Skeletons
Swindler, DR
Professor, University of Washington, WA

Reay, DT
Chief medical examiner, King County Medical Examiner's Office, WA

Haglund, WD
Chief investigator, King County Medical Examiner's Office, WA

(Received 10 September 1987; accepted 13 November 1987)

Abstract

Animal scavenging activity can result in production of tooth mark artifacts. Such activity can confound interpretation of skeletal material and the identification process. To date, these topics have received limited attention in the forensic science literature. This study discusses the nature of various animal tooth mark artifacts and typical damage to selected bony elements. This study also assesses survivability of various skeletal elements over time. Two major factors that affect which bones are recovered and the amount of damage are circumstances which shelter remains from animals and human population density of the area where the skeleton is recovered.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, tooth marks, postmortem interval, human identification, musculoskeletal system

Paper ID: JFS12521J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12521J
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