[hermantheshocker]

Australia. This elderly female individual was located deceased in her house following a welfare check. She had not been seen for 2–3 months. The body at the scene was lying horizontally on the sofa bed, with staining on the back of the cushions suggesting that the body had passively settled moving from a sitting position to the left as a result of decomposition. A number of incomplete bones were located on the floor next to the sofa bed, and a number of smaller bones were discovered at various points around the bedroom, likely moved by rats. There were multiple deceased and living rats and their feces located around the house.


Fig.1 The body at the scene (left) showing the disturbed nature of many of the skeletal elements. NB: evidence of scavenging (red arrows).

The human remains were incomplete and relatively poorly preserved. The body was predominantly skeletonized, and the bones were still slightly greasy. There were small amounts of decomposed soft tissue attached to some of the bones (e.g., right fibula, right os coxae, and right ulna and radius). The head, neck, and torso regions (cranium, mandible, spine, and left and right scapula) were articulated with evidence of partially mummified, scavenged skin on the posterior head, neck, and back. There were also remnants of light brown hair on the occipital.


Fig.2 Anterior view of the partially mummified head and torso.


Fig.3 Anterior view of the lower limbs showing the relatively incomplete and poorly preserved nature of the remains.


Fig.4 Posterior view of the partially mummified head and torso.

The skeletal remains showed evidence of extensive scavenging. The proximal and distal ends of all the long bones had been eaten away. In addition, the sternal aspect of the ribs, anterior aspects of the vertebral bodies and the pelvis, and some of the small bones (e.g., patella) showed loss of bone with crenulated free edges indicative of having been gnawed. Postmortem CT showed the disarticulated nature of the remains and extensive scavenging.


Fig.5 Anterior view of the right pelvis (top) showing extensive scavenging. Posterior view of the left femur (bottom).


Fig.6 VR images of the anterior and posterior skeleton showing disarticulation and extensive scavenging.

A comprehensive description of the preservation of human remains is important when analyzing and interpreting skeletal defects as incomplete and poorly preserved skeletal remains make trauma interpretation potentially complicated (e.g., Hart, 2015). There are various examples of where different taphonomic alterations have the potential to resemble skeletal trauma. In cases of scavenging, for example, the changes on the bone may be confused with sharp-force trauma (Symes et al., 2002). The loss of superficial bone edges may give a similar appearance in the CT scan to the loss of bone as a result of fire damage. Cause of Death: Unascertained.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[rambbb]

Damn those rats sure had a good meal it seems!

[Mongolian60]

I bet if it wasn’t for lockdown she would’ve been found sooner.

[William May]

Well, Vixann will be glad to hear she was NOT eaten by monkeys!

[Vixənn]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

Well, Vixann will be glad to hear she was NOT eaten by monkeys!

it wouldnt surprise me if monkeys eat old ladies, too.

foul creatures.
blekkk.

[William May]

Originally Posted by Vixənn ↗

it wouldnt surprise me if monkeys eat old ladies, too.

foul creatures.
blekkk.

You just want to cuddle one while it infests you with fleas, while gazing into your eyes, thinking about how you would taste.

[Vixənn]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

You just want to cuddle one while it infests you with fleas, while gazing into your eyes, thinking about how you would taste.

murder...
-_-

[smudge10]

It seems an eco friendly way to dispose of the dead. Just grind the bones up afterwards and sprinkle on the soil to grow some great tomatoes.

[William May]

Originally Posted by Vixənn ↗

murder...
-_-

When we go on our first date, I'm bringing you a bouquet of flowers, held by a little stuffed monkey.

[Vixənn]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

When we go on our first date, I'm bringing you a bouquet of flowers, held by a little stuffed monkey.

ha.
wanna know what I hate almost as much as monkeys?
flowers.
because they remind me of my adoptive mom's funeral, who died when I was 7.




gonna be a fun date.
:D