The Scope of Taphonomy in Forensic Anthropological Case Reports

Abstract

Forensic taphonomy plays a vital role in forensic anthropological research and casework, aiding in the reconstruction of perimortem and postmortem events at forensic scenes. Standard guidelines have been published by forensic standards bodies; however, there is considerable variety in the ways in which taphonomic interpretations are incorporated into forensic anthropology case reports. This study analyzes survey responses from forensic anthropologists, professionals, and trainees (n = 56) to assess the extent to which forensic taphonomy is currently integrated into forensic anthropological case reports, the methodologies employed, trends in practitioner education, and the most commonly addressed aspects of taphonomy. The responses revealed that most practitioners include forensic taphonomy in their case reports, mainly focusing on postmortem intervals, bone surface modifications, and the effects of taphonomic agents at the scene. These survey results also indicate that the methods used for taphonomic interpretations vary, with many practitioners relying on casework experience and regional reference texts. Formal education in taphonomy was prevalent among survey respondents. Interdisciplinary collaborations with experts from related fields such as entomology, geology, and climate science are relatively uncommon. This study investigates the scope of forensic taphonomy in forensic anthropology case reports from survey responses and highlights the importance of geographic and case-specific applications of forensic taphonomic methods in broader anthropological interpretations.