ABSTRACT

Liberally illustrated with photographs, maps, and other images, Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory, and Archaeological Perspectives offers modern techniques for obtaining clues from postmortem evidence. This bestselling reference examines techniques in recovery and analysis, coverage of mass grave investigation, applications of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA techniques, interpretation of burned human remains, the discrimination of trauma from postmortem change, and taphonomic interpretation of water deaths both at the scene and in the lab. It also discusses microenvironmental variation and decomposition in different environments, as well as geochemical and entomological analysis.

section Section 1|42 pages

Theoretical Perspectives

chapter 2|12 pages

Is Forensic Taphonomy Scientific?

Diagnosing death is more than accumulating evidence against the hypothesis that no one is dead.

section Section 2|198 pages

The Biogeographic Context

section Section 3|111 pages

Mass Fatalities and Mass Graves

section Section 4|143 pages

Modification of Bones, Soft Tissue, and Associated Materials