Case report: Time of death estimation of a buried body by modeling a decomposition matrix for a pig carcass

• Case report: Time since death estimation for buried human body.
• Burial time estimation using decomposition matrix from pig carcass.
• Refinement of Casper’s rule from 1860.

Estimating time of death of buried human bodies is a very difficult task. Casper’s rule from 1860 is still widely used which illustrates the lack of suitable methods. In this case study excavations in an arbor revealed the crouching body of a human being, dressed only in boxer shorts and socks. Witnesses were not able to generate a concise answer as to when the person in question was last seen alive; the pieces of information opened a window of 2–6 weeks for the possible time of death. To determine the post mortem interval (PMI) an experiment using a pig carcass was conducted to set up a decomposition matrix. Fitting the autopsy findings of the victim into the decomposition matrix yielded a time of death estimation of 2–3 weeks. This time frame was later confirmed by a new witness.The authors feel confident that a widespread conduction of decomposition matrices using pig carcasses can lead to a great increase of experience and knowledge in PMI estimation of buried bodies and will eventually lead to applicable new methods.