PhD research — Overview
My research explores how animal scavenging affects human remains in Northwestern Europe and what this means for forensic casework. In particular, I focus on how scavengers influence the preservation, modification, and dispersal of remains.
1. At the Taphonomic Research in Anthropology: Centre for Experimental Studies (TRACES), University of Lancashire, I used roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) carcasses placed in open and forested habitats across four seasons to investigate scavenging dynamics in wild vertebrate species native to Northwestern Europe.
2. At three wildlife sanctuaries in Lancashire, I used animal carcasses placed in enclosure habitats across warm and cold months to investigate scavenging dynamics in captive vertebrate species, including the Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia), Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), and Steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis).
Across both, I documented carcass interactions, measured scatter distances, and assessed bone surface modifications (BSMs) to better understand how environmental factors shape scavenger communities and their interactions with remains.
Vertebrate scavenging is a major taphonomic factor that influences decomposition, remains modification and dispersal, and post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation. Despite its importance, little is known about its effects in temperate Northwestern Europe and therefore necessitates region-specific research to inform forensic search, recovery, and interpretation.
To address this, I examine how vertebrate scavengers affect remains across different habitats and seasons, using both wild species native to Northwestern Europe and selected captive species as research models.
Findings indicate that scavenger-mediated taphonomic processes in Northwestern Europe differ according to season, habitat, and the species involved.
Temporal niche partitioning between diurnal avian scavengers and nocturnal mammals.
Avian scavengers (e.g., corvids, magpies, buzzards) dominate diurnal carcass detection, early-stage exploitation, and light soft tissue removal.
Mammalian scavengers (e.g., red foxes, badgers) contribute disproportionately to nocturnal or crepuscular carcass modification, later-stage destruction, and heavy element dispersal.
Different scavenger species exhibit distinct foraging strategies, consistent with predictions from Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT), and leave characteristic BSMs.
Scottish wildcats relocated carcasses to secluded locations and produced fine punctures and tooth scores.
Steppe eagles scavenged carcasses in situ and produced pits, V-shaped marks, and compression damage.
Arctic foxes relocated entire and partial carcasses to multiple locations and produced clustered punctures, U-shaped scores, and cortical scooping.
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