Estimation of the Time since Death: Current Research and Future Trends

Estimation of the Time Since Death is a current comprehensive work on the methods and research advances into the time since death and human decomposition. This work provides practitioners a starting point for research and practice to assist with the identification and analysis of human remains. It contains a collection of the latest scientific research, various estimation methods, and includes case studies, to highlight methodological application to real cases.

This reference first provides an introduction, including the early postmortem period, biochemical methods, and the value of entomology in estimating the time since death, along with other factors affecting the decomposition process. Further coverage explores importance of microbial communities in estimating time since death. Separate chapters on aquatic environments, carbon 14 dating and amino acid racemization, and total body scoring will round out the reference. The final chapter ties together the various themes in the context of the longest running human decomposition facility in the world and outlines future research directions.

Provides the first comprehensive reference to bring together all aspects of knowledge relating to the estimation of the post-mortem interval in decomposed human bodiesContains real case studies that underscore key estimation conceptsDemonstrates the changing role of technology and advances in the estimation of time since death

1. Approaches to time since death estimation 2. Estimation of the time since death in the early postmortem period (24-48 hours) 3. Biochemical Methods of Estimating Time Since Death 4. The application of insects to the estimation of the time since death 5. TSD estimation in the advanced stages of decomposition 6. The Importance of Microbial Communities in the Estimation of the Time Since Death 7. The postmortem interval and skeletal remains 8. Estimation of the TSD in an Aquatic Environment 9. Radiocarbon and Amino Acid Racemization (AAR) and the time since death 10. The Development of Grading Systems to Determine Human Decomposition: Total Body Scoring of Decomposed 11. The Future of Taphonomic Research