Skeletonization of the head, neck, and the left hand due to animal predation in a body that was found in a forest.
Skeletonization in bodies found outdoors can be partially a result of predation by animals. Depending on altitude, there may be insects, such as flies or beetles that feed on soft tissue. Larger animals also can eat soft tissue, especially in areas in which skin is not covered by clothing.
Fig.1 Skeletonization of the head and neck from animal predation.
Fig.2 Animal predation on the left hand.
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. However there are cases where such lesions having been noted in other areas of the body which have been covered by the cloths including genitals but they are rare.
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