Speaker Name(s): Shari L. Forbes, Ph.D.
Description: Forensic taphonomy is the study of the environmental factors that affect remains from the time of death to the time of recovery. The field of forensic taphonomy encompasses many disciplines including decomposition chemistry which involves understanding the chemical processes that occur in the body post mortem. This talk will discuss the competing processes of decomposition and mummification and the unique forensic environments in which these are typically observed. The purpose of forensic taphonomy research is to provide additional information which may assist police and forensic investigators to locate and recover decomposed remains, thus assisting with the determination of cause, manner, and time of death. Several case histories will be discussed. Some of the images will be disturbing and are not suitable for children under the age of 16 unless accompanied by an adult.