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Developing and Validating Regional Taphonomic Standards for the Recovery and Interpretation of Skeletal Remains in Outdoor Settings

Award Information

Awardee
University of Maine System acting through Univ. of Maine
Award #
2008-DN-BX-K177
Funding Category
Competitive
Location

Orono, ME

Awardee County
Penobscot
Congressional District
2
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2008
Total funding (to date)
$492,036
Original Solicitation
NIJ FY 08 Research and Development in Forensic Anthropology and Odontology: Invited Full Proposals

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $278,978)

This project will develop regional standards for taphonomic data collection and interpretation to be used by forensic anthropologists in the recovery, examination, and interpretation of human skeletal remains. By standardizing the functions of taphonomy centers, anthropologists will be able to access important data for cases involving human remains throughout the country, which will facilitate identification and reduce the case backlog of unidentified human remains.

ca/ncf

The goal of this project is to develop regional standards for taphonomic data collection and interpretation to be used by forensic anthropologists in the recovery, examination, and interpretation of human skeletal remains. Such regional models are necessary in order to correctly interpret taphonomic (postmortem) change, estimate time since death, interpret cadaver dog searches, and discriminate taphonomic change from trauma. Under the continuation phase, the researchers will test model and assessment tools with new forensic cases, continue to review and test with K-9 trials and pig cadavers and disseminate the results of the project.

ca/ncf

Grant-Funded Publications

Date Created: September 15, 2008