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Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 3/2018

01-09-2018 | Original Article

The correlation between the Aquatic Decomposition Score (ADS) and the post-mortem submersion interval measured in Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) in bodies recovered from fresh water

Authors: Guido Reijnen, H. Tamara Gelderman, Bernice F. L. Oude Grotebevelsborg, Udo J. L. Reijnders, Wilma L. J. M. Duijst

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

The Aquatic Decomposition Score (ADS) made by van Daalen et al., was developed to approximate the Post-Mortem Submersion Interval (PMSI) in bodies recovered in salt water. Since the decomposition process in salt water differs from the process in fresh water due to salinity, the temperature, and the depth of the water, we wanted to investigate whether there is a correlation between the ADS and the PMSI and if the ADS can be used to make an estimation of the PMSI in bodies recovered from fresh water. For the latter, the PMSI was measured using Accumulated Degree Days (ADD). In our study we included seventy-six human remains found outdoors in fresh water. Their decomposition was measured using the ADS. A strong correlation was found between the ADS and the PMSI. Also, it was found that the ADS can significantly estimate the ADD. Despite the more varied circumstances under which bodies in fresh water are found when compared to those found in salt water, the ADS can be used to measure the decomposition and accurately estimate the ADD, and thus the PMSI. More research is needed to validate our method and make a prediction model with smaller confidence intervals.
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Metadata
Title
The correlation between the Aquatic Decomposition Score (ADS) and the post-mortem submersion interval measured in Accumulated Degree Days (ADD) in bodies recovered from fresh water
Authors
Guido Reijnen
H. Tamara Gelderman
Bernice F. L. Oude Grotebevelsborg
Udo J. L. Reijnders
Wilma L. J. M. Duijst
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9987-5

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