ABSTRACT
Background: Forensic taphonomy is the use of decomposition timeline estimation to unravel mystery behind time of death confirmation in homicide cases involving the law court. The Guinea forest-savannah vegetation is one of the vegetations in Nigeria characterized by short trees, grassland, very hot temperatures almost round the year, speedy wind, etc. It has two distinct seasons – rainy and dry seasons. This study aimed at investigating the visible post mortem changes of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) in a Guinea forest-savannah vegetation of Nigeria so that it can be used to estimate time since death of bodies on the soil surface. Methods: A stratified random sampling technique was used to select two male and two female matured domestic pigs from a private pig farm located close to the research facility. The visible post mortem changes were observed daily (morning, afternoon and evening) for 49 days. Results: Four stages of decomposition were identified namely fresh, bloat, active decay, and advanced decay stages. Mummification process started at the sixth day post mortem which slowed the rate of decomposition, and prevented the animals to completely skeletonize within the study period. Extreme atmospheric temperature was the major factor that aided the mummification of the animals. Conclusions: Decomposition of domestic pigs in this region accelerates at the early hours of post mortem, and subsequently slows down due to extreme climatic conditions. In addition, it takes carcasses on the soil surface more than 49 days to completely skeletonize due to its vegetative factors. This implies that most crime investigations carried out in this region must take into account the climatic conditions before estimating the time of death.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anthropometry of the living, historically recognized as being an essential element of physicalanthropology because of its role in classifying the biological characteristics of humans is being re-evaluated forits potential contribution to forensic investigations. This study sought to derive regression equations andmultiplication factors for stature prediction using percutaneous hand length measurement of adult Nigerians inNnewi.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study comprised a random sample of 800 subjects (400 males and400 females) of Nigerian parentage, aged 18-50 years who volunteered and satisfied the inclusion criteria.Ethical clearance was sought and obtained; and measurements which included stature and hand length weremeasured with an anthropometer and a small sliding vernier caliper respectively, upon full consent of theparticipants. The data collated was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: Mean stature values of 175.12±6.61cm, 165.53±6.69cm and 170.33±8.19cm were recorded for the males,females and the pooled sample respectively. The mean values of the right, left and combined hand lengths in themales, females and the pooled sample ranged from 19.67±0.94cm to 20.91±0.77cm. Independent t test exhibitedstatistically significant gender differences (P<0.05) for all the parameters, with the males having consistentlyhigher values than the females. Paired t test revealed the existence of bi-lateral asymmetry between right and lefthand lengths in the males and the pooled sample (P<0.05). Significant positive correlation coefficients of staturewith hand length were found to range from 0.569 to 0.739 in the study. The multiplication factors computed forstature prediction from hand length ranged from 8.375 to 8.450 in the males, females and the pooled sample.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that stature can be predicted from hand length. The prediction modelsestablished from this study will be very useful in disaster victim identification from mutilated human remains inNigeria.