NCJ Number
246196
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 1273-1278
Date Published
September 2013
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study provides a descriptive analysis of the taphonomic changes produced by passing over skeletonized remains n = 4, Sus scrofa with three common lawn mowers.
Abstract
This study provides a descriptive analysis of the taphonomic changes produced by passing over skeletonized remains n = 4, Sus scrofa with three common lawn mowers. Two skeletons were mowed over with a riding lawn mower set at multiple blade heights 10.16, 7.62, 5.08 cm and one each with a rotary mower 9.53, 6.35 cm and a mulching mower 6.35 cm. Results show that different types of common lawn mowers will produce different patterns of bone dispersal and fragmentation rates. Overall, skeletal elements projecting upward from the surface frequently exhibited a sheared morphology characterized by a smooth, flat, cut surface 7.0-7.6% of elements. The push mowers yielded a higher frequency of undamaged bone than the riding mower 54.8-61.2% vs. 17.7%, and the riding mower created more catastrophic damage to skeletal elements. Additionally, each mower produced a distinct dispersal pattern of skeletal fragments. The dispersal patterns have been identified as bull's-eye riding, circular mulching, and discontinuous rectangle rotary. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.