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Friday, 27 August 2010

A soil scientist at The University of Western Australia could help solve some of the nation’s most notorious murders.

Professor Mark Tibbett, Director of UWA’s Centre for Land Rehabilitation has developed techniques to help forensic scientists determine how long a body has been buried or left on the surface of the ground by studying how a decomposing corpse affects the soil around it.

Professor Tibbett said the soil analysis techniques would help answer “when did this person die?” and “when was this person buried?”

“Blowfly larvae are of forensic value 10 to 14 days after death in warmer months, but once the fly larvae have begun to pupate, it is very difficult to estimate the time of death,” he said.

“The soil’s physical environment, like temperature and moisture, can change how long it takes for a body to decompose.  The type of soil, like sand or clay, can alter decomposition by affecting how gases and water move in the soil.  Also, body tissue decomposes quicker if the soil has active animal and bacterial populations.”

Professor Tibbett’s work will also improve methods for finding concealed graves and assist forensic investigations in remote areas, where bodies can go undetected for several months after death.

His paper “Blood, guts, gore and soil: decomposition processes in graves and forensic taphonomic applications” was presented to delegates at the 19th World Congress of Soil Science in Brisbane recently.

Media references

Associate Professor Mark Tibbett (School of Earth and Environment) (+ 61 8)  6488 2635
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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