A Study of Decomposition Based on Body Wrappings in Cold Climates

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

10-4-2018 10:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 11:00 AM

Student's Major

Anthropology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Kathleen Blue

Mentor's Department

Anthropology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Though a wealth of research exists on decomposition rates in warmer temperatures, much less exists about what happens to a body after death in cold climates. In this study, I tested decomposition rates in cold weather based on the way a body might theoretically be disposed of. Three already deceased feeder pigs were used as subjects. One was wrapped in heavy-duty plastic, one in a blanket, and one was left out in the open. The weather conditions were recorded daily, in addition to weekly visits to observe the state of the subjects. As of now, no differences in decomposition rates have been detected among the three conditions, but the experiment is still ongoing.

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Apr 10th, 10:00 AM Apr 10th, 11:00 AM

A Study of Decomposition Based on Body Wrappings in Cold Climates

CSU 201

Though a wealth of research exists on decomposition rates in warmer temperatures, much less exists about what happens to a body after death in cold climates. In this study, I tested decomposition rates in cold weather based on the way a body might theoretically be disposed of. Three already deceased feeder pigs were used as subjects. One was wrapped in heavy-duty plastic, one in a blanket, and one was left out in the open. The weather conditions were recorded daily, in addition to weekly visits to observe the state of the subjects. As of now, no differences in decomposition rates have been detected among the three conditions, but the experiment is still ongoing.

Recommended Citation

Bruce, Shannon. "A Study of Decomposition Based on Body Wrappings in Cold Climates." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/oral-session-01/1