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The effects of taphonomic color alteration upon skeletal recovery rates during surface searches.

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Title: The effects of taphonomic color alteration upon skeletal recovery rates during surface searches.
Authors: McCallister, Danielle C.1 (AUTHOR) dcmcc@bu.edu, Moore, Tara L.1 (AUTHOR), Pokines, James T.1,2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences. Oct2025, p1. 8p. 5 Illustrations.
Subject Terms: *TAPHONOMY, *FORENSIC sciences, *FOSSIL bones, *FORENSIC science education, *SURFACE phenomenon
Abstract: Previous research shows that even expert‐level recovery teams can miss osteological evidence. The present research examined recovery rates and distances using dispersed nonhuman (pig [Sus scrofa], white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus], and mule deer [O. hemionus]) bones with different taphonomic color alteration. Searching was done by a Special Emergency Response Team of the Massachusetts State Police during researcher‐guided walk‐throughs in a simulated outdoor surface scene. The authors hypothesized that sun‐bleached bones would be recognized from the greatest distances due to their starker contrast from natural leaf litter as opposed to control bones or those with soil/decomposition staining. The control sample was unaltered, dry bone without significant staining, and the stained bones had variable brown color from decomposition and/or shallow burial. The sun‐bleached bones were spotted at an average distance of 8.76 m ± 7.75 m, while soil/decomposition‐stained bones were spotted at 4.09 m ± 2.79 m and the control sample at 6.73 m ± 5.40 m. As determined by a two‐way ANOVA test, the interaction between bone color and distance was significant (p < 0.001). Sun‐bleached bones had a 100.0% recovery rate (60/60), control bones 96.7% (58/60), and soil/decomposition‐stained bones 70.0% (42/60). In addition, bone type also had a statistically significant effect on distance (p < 0.001), and therefore the likelihood of being recovered. Even expert‐level recovery teams can miss osteological evidence during surface searches, with natural bone camouflage factoring into recovery success rates. As a result, increased training and education surrounding taphonomically altered bones is necessary for all personnel involved in forensic surface searching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Academic Search Index
Description
Abstract:Previous research shows that even expert‐level recovery teams can miss osteological evidence. The present research examined recovery rates and distances using dispersed nonhuman (pig [Sus scrofa], white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus], and mule deer [O. hemionus]) bones with different taphonomic color alteration. Searching was done by a Special Emergency Response Team of the Massachusetts State Police during researcher‐guided walk‐throughs in a simulated outdoor surface scene. The authors hypothesized that sun‐bleached bones would be recognized from the greatest distances due to their starker contrast from natural leaf litter as opposed to control bones or those with soil/decomposition staining. The control sample was unaltered, dry bone without significant staining, and the stained bones had variable brown color from decomposition and/or shallow burial. The sun‐bleached bones were spotted at an average distance of 8.76 m ± 7.75 m, while soil/decomposition‐stained bones were spotted at 4.09 m ± 2.79 m and the control sample at 6.73 m ± 5.40 m. As determined by a two‐way ANOVA test, the interaction between bone color and distance was significant (p < 0.001). Sun‐bleached bones had a 100.0% recovery rate (60/60), control bones 96.7% (58/60), and soil/decomposition‐stained bones 70.0% (42/60). In addition, bone type also had a statistically significant effect on distance (p < 0.001), and therefore the likelihood of being recovered. Even expert‐level recovery teams can miss osteological evidence during surface searches, with natural bone camouflage factoring into recovery success rates. As a result, increased training and education surrounding taphonomically altered bones is necessary for all personnel involved in forensic surface searching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00221198
DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.70201