Stage of Decomposition

by Mo Dowdy
(North East, UK)

I am doing some research for a writer of crime fiction.

Can someone explain what you would see if you unearthed two bodies buried in beach sand, one that had been there for five years, the other ten.

Would these be merely skeletons? If not what level of decomposition would there be on each? Would skin and/or clothing be rotted away totally?

How does sand differ from soil in relation to the time it takes a body to decay?

And lastly, what methods would a forensic anthropologist employ to establish the length of time the bones have been buried?

Thank you so much.

Mo

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Forensic Anthropology