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Identification of decomposed remains requires techniques such as forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, and/or DNA typing. This victim was murdered and dumped in LA County’s high desert, where animals consumed the facial tissue and hands. No further info about this case.

Forensic odontology—the scientific application of dentistry to legal matters—has become a viable asset to the law enforcement community. Today, many forensic odontologists are trained to respond to the needs of law enforcement officers, the legal profession, and forensic pathologists.

Fig.1

Postmortem animal interference of human corpses or remains is a well known phenomenon to forensic death investigators, the morphological appearance of these injuries can be misinterpreted by police officers investigating the suspected crime scene or by the consulted medical practitioner. Frequently the face, hands and legs are destroyed by postmortem animal interference as they are unclothed and thus easily accessible.

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Fig.1 Diptera larvae collected from the ocular cavity of a cadaver in active decay.

Diptera larvae collected from the ocular cavity of a cadaver

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Fig.1 Skin burns on a victim of lysol suicide.

Skin burns on a victim of lysol suicide

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Fig.1 Greenish white molds on the forehead, right side of the cheek, perioral, and perinasal areas, and anterior part of neck, and chest.

Fungal growth on a corpse

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Fig.1 Contact wound, between the eyes from a .357 Magnum revolver.

Contact wound between the eyes from a .357 Magnum revolver

| Gunshot, Suicide | No Comments
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