Customer Reviews

Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains

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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.

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

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.

Haglund and Sorg have done an excellent job of compiling and assembling information about the diverse field of taphonomy. The authors chosen to contribute to this volume are the leaders in their respective sub-disciplines and are illustrative of the many forms taphonomy can take. They further demonstrate that taphonomy is no longer considered just as: the study of skeletal assemblages in paleoecological and archaeological settings. It is a growing, diversifying, multi-faceted field. Students of taphonomy will find references in this book invaluable. In short: it will be your greatest resource in taphonomical studies.

a good textbook for class or for following along with your favorite tv. show.

Comprehensive review of what happens after death. It's a great book to launch a more in-depth study.