Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, W.C., South Africa; School of Anthropology and Conservation, Marlowe Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK.
Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, W.C., South Africa.
Forensic Sci Int. 2019 Oct;303:109948. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109948. Epub 2019 Sep 13.
The general process and pattern of decomposition is well-documented and understood. However, specific environmental conditions may alter this pattern and prematurely terminate the decay process. An example of this is natural mummification - a preservative process characterized by desiccation, brittleness and shrinkage of the skin and body tissues. It is important to understand how, when, and where such variations may occur, and for this reason environmentally-specific studies of decay are required. The aim of the present study was the establish baseline data on soft-tissue decomposition in two terrestrial habitats in the Western Cape. A total of 16 pig carcasses serving as analogues for humans were deployed in these habitats during two successive winters and summers between 2014 and 2016. The rate and pattern of decomposition were assessed via measurement of weight loss over time and scoring the decomposition process using Megyesi et al. (2005) Total Body Score system and study-specific criteria for mummification. Carcasses typically followed the expected pattern of decay with a few exceptions, most notably instances of rapid natural mummification. Natural mummification, as defined by Megyesi et al. (2005), was observed to occur as early as 17 days postmortem, with five carcasses mummifying in less than one month. The timing of natural mummification varies widely, from a few days to several years, averaging around three months in temperate regions. Natural mummification occurring in less than one month is termed precocious mummification and is rarely observed in temperate regions. With only three reports globally, this study's findings are globally significant, highlighting the importance of regionally-specific decomposition studies. Two local forensic cases wherein precocious mummification has been observed are also presented and, considered together with the study's results, a possible mechanism driving this process is proposed.
尸体分解的一般过程和模式已有详细记录和了解。然而，具体的环境条件可能会改变这种模式，并使分解过程过早结束。例如自然木乃伊化——一种以干燥、皮肤和身体组织变脆和收缩为特征的保存过程。了解这种变化可能发生的时间、地点以及如何发生非常重要，因此需要对特定环境的分解进行研究。本研究的目的是在西开普省的两个陆地生境中建立软组织分解的基线数据。在 2014 年至 2016 年的两个连续冬季和夏季，总共将 16 具作为人体模拟的猪尸体部署在这些生境中。通过随时间测量体重损失和使用 Megyesi 等人（2005 年）的全身评分系统和特定于研究的木乃伊化标准对分解过程进行评分来评估分解的速度和模式。除了一些例外，大多数情况下尸体通常遵循预期的分解模式，最值得注意的是快速自然木乃伊化的情况。自然木乃伊化，如 Megyesi 等人（2005 年）所定义，在死后 17 天内就已观察到，有 5 具尸体在不到一个月的时间内就木乃伊化了。自然木乃伊化的时间变化很大，从几天到几年不等，在温带地区平均约为三个月。在不到一个月的时间内发生的自然木乃伊化称为早熟木乃伊化，在温带地区很少见。在全球范围内只有三个报告，本研究的发现具有全球意义，突出了特定于区域的分解研究的重要性。还介绍了两个本地法医案例，其中观察到了早熟木乃伊化，并且考虑到研究结果，提出了一个可能导致该过程的机制。
