Anderson Gail S, Bell Lynne S
Centre for Forensic Research, School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr., Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
Insects. 2017 Mar 13;8(1):33. doi: 10.3390/insects8010033.
The taphonomy of carcasses submerged in the ocean is little understood, yet it is extremely important ecologically and forensically. The objectives of this study were to determine the fate of pig carcasses as human proxies in the Strait of Georgia at 170 m in spring and fall. Using Ocean Networks Canada's Victoria Experimental Network Underseas (VENUS) observatory, two carcasses per season were placed under a cabled platform hosting a webcam and instruments measuring water chemistry. Two minutes of video were recorded every 15 min. In spring, Lyssianassidae amphipods and were immediately attracted and fed on the carcasses, the amphipods removed the bulk of the soft tissue from the inside whilst the shrimp shredded the skin and tissue. The carcasses were skeletonized on Days 8 and 10. In fall, was the major scavenger, removing most of the soft tissue from one carcass. Amphipods did not arrive in large numbers until Day 15, when they skeletonized the scavenged carcass by Day 22 and the less scavenged carcass by Day 24. Amphipods remained for some days after skeletonization. This skeletonization was very different from previous experiments at different depths and habitats. Such data are very valuable for predicting preservation, planning recoveries, and managing family expectations.
对于沉入海洋的尸体的埋藏学，我们了解甚少，但它在生态学和法医学方面都极为重要。本研究的目的是确定在春季和秋季，位于乔治亚海峡170米深处作为人类替身的猪尸体的归宿。利用加拿大海洋网络的维多利亚海底实验网络（VENUS）观测站，每个季节在一个装有网络摄像头和测量水化学仪器的有线平台下放置两具尸体。每隔15分钟录制两分钟的视频。在春季，长腹钩虾科的等足类动物立即被吸引并以尸体为食，等足类动物从内部清除了大部分软组织，而虾则撕咬皮肤和组织。尸体在第8天和第10天变成了骨架。在秋季，[此处原文缺失一种生物名称]是主要的食腐动物，从一具尸体上清除了大部分软组织。等足类动物直到第15天才大量出现，到第22天它们将被食腐的尸体变成了骨架，到第24天则将较少被食腐的尸体变成了骨架。等足类动物在尸体变成骨架后还停留了几天。这种尸体变成骨架的情况与之前在不同深度和栖息地进行的实验非常不同。这些数据对于预测尸体保存情况、规划打捞以及管理家属期望非常有价值。
