Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	McQuinn, Bonnie Charlana
Author's Email Address	charlo11@gmail.com
URN	etd-04252011-180855
Title	Impact of Embalming and Burial on Decomposition Rates and Diffusion of Volatile Fatty Acids in Kentucky
Degree	Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department	Geography & Anthropology
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Manhein, Mary Committee Chair Saunders, Rebecca Committee Member Tague, Robert Committee Member
Keywords	Kentucky Surface Remains Volatile Fatty Acids Insects Burials Embalming
Date of Defense	2011-04-08
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Six still-born fetal pigs were divided into two groups (three were embalmed, and three non-embalmed) to determine a postmortem interval on decomposing remains in eastern Kentucky. One pig from each group was placed on the surface, one from each group was interred at a depth of two feet, and one from each group was buried at four feet. This study focused on observing necrophagous insect succession as well as how far on both a horizontal and a vertical plane volatile fatty acids leach from a body. Soil samples were taken from near all specimens at the time of respective termination of the project in order to determine leaching distances. Results show that embalmed remains mummify, and, hence, attract more beetles than non-embalmed remains. Results also demonstrate that volatile fatty acids are not degraded by embalming fluid and leach out both vertically and horizontally, with higher concentrations running vertically. Soil associated with buried remains tend to retain higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids than do soils associated with surface remains.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    McQuinn_Thesis.pdf 3.85 Mb 00:17:49 00:09:10 00:08:01 00:04:00 00:00:20

If you have questions or technical problems, please Contact LSU-ETD Support.