Effects of hydrated lime and quicklime on the decay of buried human remains using pig cadavers as human body analogues
Publication date
2012Author
Schotsmans, Eline M.J.Denton, J.
Dekeirsschieter, J.
Ivaneanu, T.
Leentjes, S.
Janaway, Robert C.
Wilson, Andrew S.
Keyword
Animals; Beetles
; Burial
; Calcium compounds; Chemistry
; Diptera
; Feeding behaviour
; Forensic pathology
; Humans
; Hydrogen-ion concentration
; Models
; Oxides
; Postmortem changes
; Rain
; Soil
; Swine
; Temperature
; REF 2014
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Recent casework in Belgium involving the search for human remains buried with lime, demonstrated the need for more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Six pigs (Sus scrofa) were used as body analogues in field experiments. They were buried without lime, with hydrated lime (Ca(OH)(2)) and with quicklime (CaO) in shallow graves in sandy loam soil in Belgium and recovered after 6 months of burial. Observations from these field recoveries informed additional laboratory experiments that were undertaken at the University of Bradford, UK. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the decay of the carcass during the first 6 months. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also has bearing on practices involving burial of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisations and DVI teams.Version
No full-text in the repositoryCitation
Schotsmans, E. M., Denton, J., Dekeirsschieter, J., Ivaneanu, T., Leentjes, S., Janaway, R. C., Wilson, A. S. (2012) Effects of hydrated lime and quicklime on the decay of buried human remains using pig cadavers as human body analogues. Forensic Science International, 217 (1-3), 50-59.Link to Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.09.025Type
Articleae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.09.025