In the forensic practice one of the most difficult scenario concerns the search of buried corpses (which sometimes takes place several years after the burial) and the estimation of post mortem interval. In these cases evaluable data may derive from a multidisciplinary approach which takes into account the contribution from botany, entomology, geopedology in order to verify the interaction between the presence of a corpse in decomposition and the natural environment. In addition, the use of different technologies such as geophysical and geochemical methods may bring about several advantages for the search of cadavers; however, in literature very few studies deal with experimental projects including the analysis of the complicate interactions between the buried body and the soil. The main limit consists in fact in the lack of experimental studies concerning the decomposition of corpses left in a natural environment; literature has so far provided numerous case reports concerning the different forensic disciples, from geology to the botany and entomology: however, the results provided by these studies are not homogeneous, and the different environmental conditions prevents from drawing out general conclusions. Relevant information may derive from the use of cadavers for experimental purposes: in USA the bodyfarm experience represents a relevant attempt at obtaining information concerning decomposition processes and correlation between the corpse and the environmental variables. However, in Italy the use of human samples is not allowed and cannot be used in order to reach such standardization by experimental projects. This experimental study is the first attempt at developing an Italian bodyfarm in order to study the different aspects of decomposition, botanic and entomological modifications, search and recovery of buried bodies on animal samples, and took place within the park of Ticino (Lombardia). Ten ditches were filled with 11 pigs carcasses weighing between 60 and 90 Kg. The botanic characteristics of the area were periodically recorded in order to verify possible modifications induced by the burial. In addition, periodical analyses of ditches were performed throughout a georadar in order to verify possible modifications of the soil induced by the burial. Every acquisition was followed by the periodic exhumation of two samples: each sample underwent also to autopsy in order to verify the decomposition processes which had affected the skin surface and the viscera. Entomological samples were taken from each sample in order to draw up information concerning the colonization and the reconstruction of post mortem interval. The first results which derived from the first exhumation showed relevant modifications of soil and different approaches of botanic and entomological colonization due to the burial of the carcasses: vegetation showed changes which were still detectable up to the 7th month. In addition, the samples were less visible by georadar after 5 months. These results point out the dynamic relation between the soil and the corpse. The next exhumations will provide important data concerning the geopedologic and botanic modifications of soil induced by the presence of a buried corpse; in addition, the autopsy of each sample will bring about information concerning the specific decomposition processes and the entomological colonization. These results will be useful for a standardization of search procedures of bodies buried in soil and for the estimation of post mortem interval.

From the search to the autopsy: the multidisciplinary approach to the assessment of bodies buried in soil: The Italian bodyfarm / P. Poppa, D. Gibelli, D. Mazzarelli, A. Cappella, F. Magli, C. Cattaneo, A. Cappella. ((Intervento presentato al convegno 19. IAFS WORLD Meeting and 9. WPMO TRIENNIAL Meeting and 5. MAFS Meeting tenutosi a Funchal nel 2011.

From the search to the autopsy: the multidisciplinary approach to the assessment of bodies buried in soil: The Italian bodyfarm

P. Poppa
Primo
;
D. Gibelli
Secondo
;
D. Mazzarelli;A. Cappella;C. Cattaneo
Ultimo
;
A. Cappella
2011

Abstract

In the forensic practice one of the most difficult scenario concerns the search of buried corpses (which sometimes takes place several years after the burial) and the estimation of post mortem interval. In these cases evaluable data may derive from a multidisciplinary approach which takes into account the contribution from botany, entomology, geopedology in order to verify the interaction between the presence of a corpse in decomposition and the natural environment. In addition, the use of different technologies such as geophysical and geochemical methods may bring about several advantages for the search of cadavers; however, in literature very few studies deal with experimental projects including the analysis of the complicate interactions between the buried body and the soil. The main limit consists in fact in the lack of experimental studies concerning the decomposition of corpses left in a natural environment; literature has so far provided numerous case reports concerning the different forensic disciples, from geology to the botany and entomology: however, the results provided by these studies are not homogeneous, and the different environmental conditions prevents from drawing out general conclusions. Relevant information may derive from the use of cadavers for experimental purposes: in USA the bodyfarm experience represents a relevant attempt at obtaining information concerning decomposition processes and correlation between the corpse and the environmental variables. However, in Italy the use of human samples is not allowed and cannot be used in order to reach such standardization by experimental projects. This experimental study is the first attempt at developing an Italian bodyfarm in order to study the different aspects of decomposition, botanic and entomological modifications, search and recovery of buried bodies on animal samples, and took place within the park of Ticino (Lombardia). Ten ditches were filled with 11 pigs carcasses weighing between 60 and 90 Kg. The botanic characteristics of the area were periodically recorded in order to verify possible modifications induced by the burial. In addition, periodical analyses of ditches were performed throughout a georadar in order to verify possible modifications of the soil induced by the burial. Every acquisition was followed by the periodic exhumation of two samples: each sample underwent also to autopsy in order to verify the decomposition processes which had affected the skin surface and the viscera. Entomological samples were taken from each sample in order to draw up information concerning the colonization and the reconstruction of post mortem interval. The first results which derived from the first exhumation showed relevant modifications of soil and different approaches of botanic and entomological colonization due to the burial of the carcasses: vegetation showed changes which were still detectable up to the 7th month. In addition, the samples were less visible by georadar after 5 months. These results point out the dynamic relation between the soil and the corpse. The next exhumations will provide important data concerning the geopedologic and botanic modifications of soil induced by the presence of a buried corpse; in addition, the autopsy of each sample will bring about information concerning the specific decomposition processes and the entomological colonization. These results will be useful for a standardization of search procedures of bodies buried in soil and for the estimation of post mortem interval.
2011
Settore MED/43 - Medicina Legale
From the search to the autopsy: the multidisciplinary approach to the assessment of bodies buried in soil: The Italian bodyfarm / P. Poppa, D. Gibelli, D. Mazzarelli, A. Cappella, F. Magli, C. Cattaneo, A. Cappella. ((Intervento presentato al convegno 19. IAFS WORLD Meeting and 9. WPMO TRIENNIAL Meeting and 5. MAFS Meeting tenutosi a Funchal nel 2011.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/166900
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