SFU Research Chairs & Endowed Professors Seminar Series: "Death on the High Seas: The Fate of a Body in the Ocean"

Abstract

Decomposition and insect colonization of a body has been well studied in terrestrial ecosystems and information from both human and animal studies has allowed medico-legal entomologists to estimate the period of insect colonization of a homicide victim and infer elapsed time since death, location of wound sites and possible relocation or disturbance of the body. However, death in the marine environment presents entirely different challenges. This presentation will compare and contrast a number of decompositional experiments conducted in a variety of marine environments, habitats and seasons.