Reduction of Fleshed Sus scrofa domesticus Remains Using a Wood Chipper: Skeletal Trauma and Distribution Patterns

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dc.contributor.advisorWescott, Daniel J.
dc.contributor.authorFrye, Alexandria
dc.contributor.committeeMemberHamilton, Michelle D.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSpradley, M. Katherine
dc.date.accessioned2013-06-03T20:17:57Z
dc.date.available2013-06-03T20:17:57Z
dc.date.issued2013-08
dc.description.abstractWood chippers are machines intended for the reduction of wood and brush into small chips for the purpose of disposal. Although uncommon, these machines have been used as tools of homicide concealment through mechanical reduction of human remains following dismemberment. In light of this use and limited prior research, it is important for forensic anthropologists to understand the mechanisms of skeletal trauma and distribution patterns. In this study, Sus scrofa domesticus remains were utilized as a proxy for human remains and fed through a small commercial wood chipper. Observations following reduction included a large amount of associated hard and soft tissue with small bone fragments being embedded in large swatches of skin and muscle tissue. Skeletal trauma includes a wide array of macroscopic and microscopic sharp-blunt force trauma characteristics resulting from contact with the blade and the feed roller. This research provides experimental evidence of sharp-blunt trauma characteristics caused by wood chippers, a distribution pattern expected from a disc-type wood chipper reduction, as well as natural and human-enacted methods of concealment. This study should be considered when searching for dispersed remains resulting from cases of suspected wood chipper reduction.
dc.description.departmentAnthropology
dc.formatText
dc.format.extent62 pages
dc.format.medium1 file (.pdf)
dc.identifier.citationFrye, A. (2013). <i>Reduction of fleshed Sus scrofa domesticus remains using a wood chipper: Skeletal trauma and distribution patterns</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10877/4616
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectForensic anthropology
dc.subjectSkeletal trauma
dc.subjectWood chipper
dc.subjectReduction
dc.subjectSharp force
dc.subjectBlunt force
dc.subjectSharp-blunt force
dc.subjectCortocontundente
dc.subjectBiomechanics
dc.subjectSkeletal biology
dc.subjectBiological anthropology
dc.subject.lcshForensic Anthropologyen_US
dc.subject.lcshChippers (Woodworking machinery)en_US
dc.subject.lcshForensic Osteologyen_US
dc.subject.lcshBones--Wounds and injuriesen_US
dc.subject.lcshMurder--Investigationen_US
dc.subject.lcshSwineen_US
dc.titleReduction of Fleshed Sus scrofa domesticus Remains Using a Wood Chipper: Skeletal Trauma and Distribution Patterns
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.departmentAnthropology
thesis.degree.disciplineAnthropology
thesis.degree.grantorTexas State University-San Marcos
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts

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