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Journal Article

Citation

Stock MK, Winburn AP, Burgess GH. J. Forensic Sci. 2017; 62(6): 1647-1654.

Affiliation

International Shark Attack File, Florida Program for Shark Research, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13470

PMID

28464294

Abstract

This research examines a series of six Florida forensic anthropology cases that exhibit taphonomic evidence of marine deposition and shark-feeding activities. In each case, we analyzed patterns of trauma/damage on the skeletal remains (e.g., sharp-force bone gouges and punctures) and possible mechanisms by which they were inflicted during shark predation/scavenging. In some cases, shark teeth were embedded in the remains; in the absence of this evidence, we measured interdental distance from defects in the bone to estimate shark body length, as well as to draw inferences about the potential species responsible. We discuss similarities and differences among the cases and make comparisons to literature documenting diagnostic shark-inflicted damage to human remains from nearby regions. We find that the majority of cases potentially involve bull or tiger sharks scavenging the remains of previously deceased, adult male individuals. This scavenging results in a distinctive taphonomic signature including incised gouges in cortical bone.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.


Language: en

Keywords

forensic anthropology; forensic science; interdisciplinary collaboration; marine taphonomy; shark predation/scavenging; skeletal trauma

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