Question 1

A buried body is excavated and found to be clothed in nylons, a wool skirt and a silk blouse, all of which are in very poor condition. From this information, it is probable that this woman has been dead for at least a year.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A buried body is excavated and found...

Question 2

Paper money, in a severely deteriorated state, is found in the jeans pocket of a body found on the surface. From this information, it is probable that the person has been dead only about 6 months.

Accepted Answer

This statement cannot be confirmed or inferred based solely on the condition of the paper money found in the pocket of the body. Additional factors such as decomposition, environmental conditions, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body would need to be considered in order to estimate the time since death.

Question 3

Advanced decomposition in all climates involves some level of skeletonization.

Accepted Answer

Skeletonization, also referred to as dry or skeletal remains, is a common occurrence in advanced stages of decomposition in all climates. It involves the loss of soft tissue and the presence of only bones, which can withstand environmental factors and resist further decay.

Question 4

Skeletonization is not one of the phases of decomposition in hot, dry climates.

Accepted Answer

Skeletonization is indeed one of the phases of decomposition, even in hot, dry climates, although the process may occur differently or at a different pace due to the environmental conditions.

Question 5

The first year after death in warm, moist climates is characterized by skeletonization.

Accepted Answer

In warm, moist climates, the first year after death is characterized by rapid decomposition that leads to skeletonization.

Question 6

The PMI of a decomposed body that is found in the warm summer months is more likely drawn from the high end of the range for decomposition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The PMI of a decomposed body that...

Question 7

The decomposition process of the human body is often divided into stages for ease of understanding.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The decomposition process of the human body is often divided into stages such as fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay, and dry/remains. This helps in understanding the various changes and processes that occur during decomposition.

Question 8

Natural mummification occurs mainly in hot, wet environments.

Accepted Answer

Natural mummification is more common in environments that are either very dry or very cold, as these conditions help preserve the body by slowing down the decomposition process. Hot, wet environments typically accelerate decomposition.

Question 9

Adipocere, a substance composed of body fats that have absorbed water, occurs mainly among submerged remains.

Accepted Answer

Adipocere is also known as "grave wax" and forms when bacteria break down the fatty tissues of a body in the absence of oxygen. It is commonly found in bodies that have been submerged in water, but can also occur in buried remains under certain conditions.

Question 10

Some factors that can affect the rate of decomposition of a body are soil type, humidity, temperature, and level of insect activity.

Accepted Answer

These factors can all impact the rate of decomposition of a body. Soil type can affect the availability of nutrients for bacteria and other decomposers, while humidity and temperature can impact their activity levels. Insect activity can also speed up the breakdown of tissues.

Question 11

Complete skeletonization can occur in as few as two months in both hot, arid climates and cold climates.

Accepted Answer

Complete skeletonization can occur in as few as two months in various climates, including hot, arid climates and cold climates.

Question 12

Insect and carnivore activity can affect the amount of soft tissue remaining on a decomposing body.

Accepted Answer

Insects and carnivores feed on soft tissue, and their activity can greatly impact the amount of soft tissue remaining on a decomposing body.

Question 13

A buried body is excavated and found to be clothed in nylons, a wool skirt and a silk blouse all of which are in good condition. From this information, it is probable that this woman has been dead for well over one year.

Accepted Answer

Nylons, wool, and silk are materials that can preserve well under certain burial conditions, making it difficult to determine the time since death based solely on the condition of these fabrics.

Question 14

One of the tasks forensic anthropologists should undertake is collect plant material from human remains for analysis by forensic botanists.

Accepted Answer

Forensic botanists can use plant material from human remains to determine the time of death, location of death, and the possible movement of a body after death. Therefore, collecting plant material is an important task for forensic anthropologists who work on cases involving human remains.

Question 15

The number of rings in a root growing through human remains can be used to calculate PMI.

Accepted Answer

The number of root rings can be used to estimate the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) because roots grow in seasonal cycles, and each ring can represent a year of growth, thus providing a timeline since the individual's death.

Question 16

One of the tasks forensic anthropologists should undertake is the capture of insects from human remains for analysis by forensic entomologists.

Accepted Answer

Forensic anthropologists may collect insects from human remains to assist forensic entomologists in determining information such as time since death and possible location of death.

Question 17

Even rodents can remove soft tissue from human remains.

Accepted Answer

Rodents, such as rats and mice, have been known to gnaw on and remove soft tissue from human remains. This can sometimes make it more difficult to determine the cause of death or identify the individual.

Question 18

Scavenging by animals can cause both arms and legs to be separated from the rest of the body.

Accepted Answer

Scavenging animals, such as vultures and hyenas, can dismember bodies by pulling and tearing at limbs, resulting in separation of arms and legs from the rest of the body.

Question 19

Submerged remains decay faster than surface remains.

Accepted Answer

Submerged remains often decay slower than surface remains due to the cooler temperatures and lack of oxygen underwater, which can slow down the decomposition process.

Question 20

Buried remains decay faster than surface remains.

Accepted Answer

Buried remains decay more slowly due to the reduced exposure to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and scavengers, which accelerate decomposition.

Quiz 5: Estimating Postmortem Interval