Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains (Hardcover)

~ William D. Haglund (Author), Marcella Harnish Sorg (Author) "Taphonomy can be defined as the study of postmortem processes which affect ( 1 ) the preservation, observation, or recovery of dead organisms, (2) the..." (more)
Key Phrases: view using polarized light, depositional microenvironment, special lamellae, New York, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Annual Meeting (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The text is a vade mecum on the subject...will surely stand the test of time and will be a ready resource for a variety of professionals" Scientific Sleuthing Review

The contents of this volume are certainly appealing to those studying and practicing forensic pathology, with suggestions for further study. … Forensic investigators will of course find this text of use in their 'forensic education'. … I would recommend that anyone studying forensic science courses read this book, and contemplate how the principles can be applied … .
- www.forensicmed.co.uk

The contents of this volume are certainly appealing to those studying and practicing forensic pathology, with suggestions for further study. … Forensic investigators will of course find this text of use in their forensic education. … I would recommend that anyone studying forensic science courses read this book, and contemplate how the principles can be applied … .
- www.forensicmed.co.uk

The value of this book can be appreciated instantly simply by noting the names of the contributors. They are the leaders in their fields. The subjects are covered extensively, the discussions of actual cases are handled without undue war storying, and the field of forensic taphonomy receives its first extensive and in-depth treatment. The volume will surely stand the test of time and will be a ready resource for a variety of professionals whose dealings are with the dead.
-SCIENTIFIC SLEUTHING REVIEW

Product Description

Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and paleontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). Forensic Taphonomy explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonomic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Review articles, case reports, and chapters on methodology round out this book's unique approach to forensic science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 664 pages
• Publisher: CRC-Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849394341
• ISBN-13: 978-0849394348
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #651,158 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and Outstanding, April 7, 2007

By	squid45 (California) - See all my reviews

I am a law enforcement officer who is also a search and rescue coordinator. I am occasionally tasked with providing SAR management and resources during forensic searches. I bought the book after my interest was piqued. However, this book has turned out to be INCREDIBLY useful. The section on animal scavangeing (article after article--bears, canine, rodents, insects) is very useful for ME/coroners or LEO. There's some science, but nothing you can't understand if you stayed awake in high school(!) Virtually every time a new question comes up, it's in the book. I'm currently studying the transport of remains in water. If you need this kind of knowledge, the definately buy the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and complete, December 22, 2008

By	Philip A. Polstra (dubuque, ia usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book, along with the sequel present a good overview of the subject. Both books were required texts for a graduate forensic sciences course.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of a complex field, March 25, 2008

By	Christopher Sims "Provocateur" (Boone, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Forensic taphonomy is something that relatively few people in professional and academic settings can claim expertise in. While this book certainly won't make the reader an expert, it offers a wide base of knowledge that can be applied in many different disciplines. This is one of the most useful texts I have and has come in handy for archaeological digs.