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                            Library & Multimedia
 Scavenger activity in a peri-urban agricultural setting in the Highveld of South Africa
NCJ Number
              302562
Journal

*International Journal of Legal Medicine* Volume: 135 Dated: 2020 Pages: 979–991
Author(s)
          Craig A. Keyes;
                        J. Myburgh;
                        D. Brits
Date Published

September 2020
Length
              13 pages
Annotation
              Since scavenging animals often scatter skeletal remains of forensic interest and cause scavenging damage, the current study sought to identify scavenging animals in the peri-urban agricultural Highveld of South Africa, describe their scattering patterns, and the damage they cause to bone.
Abstract
              Ten pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) (40–80 kg) were placed at the University of Pretoria’s Mierjie Le Roux Experimental Farm (Highveld) in summer and winter. Motion-activated cameras recorded the scavenging. Scavenger species were identified and their behaviors, scattering pattern, and the damage they cause to bone were described. Scavenging was primarily by black-backed jackals; however, mongooses (slender, yellow, and water mongoose), Cape porcupine, and honey badger were also active. Remains were commonly scattered in two directions by jackals. The distance of scattering was heavily influenced by fencing. The remains were scattered within a maximum radius of 73.7 m. The remains were scavenged and skeletonized faster in summer. Jackals caused minimal damage to bone, isolated to superficial, nonspecific scores, furrows, and punctures. A few mongoose bone alterations were present as jagged gnaw marks on the angle of the mandible and gnawing of the vertebral spinous process. Cape porcupine bone damage included gnaw marks on the condyle of a femur and head of humerus, and destruction of the proximal and distal ends of a tibia. The described scattering pattern and bone modification patterns will assist in the recovery and analysis of scavenged remains found in peri-urban agricultural areas in South Africa. (publisher abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2016-MU-BX-K110


  
  
        
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        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)


  
  
        
  Award
        Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) FY17
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2020
    
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