Identifier

etd-04192011-104718

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography and Anthropology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Nine pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses were placed in three different microenvironments in eastern Kentucky in the summer of 2010 in order to aid in the determination of a Postmortem Interval (PMI) template for recently mummified remains. The three microenvironments were a tobacco barn, hay barn, and control barn. Three pigs were placed in specific locations in all of the barns – outside the barn on the ground, inside the barn on the ground, and in a loft placed within five feet of the roof. Little to no natural mummification occurred at each site. Residual nicotine was also analyzed in order to determine whether or not it had a significant impact on the decomposition rate of the remains located in the tobacco barn loft. While residual nicotine was present, it did not have a significant impact on the decomposition rate for the remains at this site.

Date

2011

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Manhein, Mary

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3699

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