Time Since Death: A Review of the Current Status of Methods used in the Later Postmortem Interval

This paper reviews alterations to the human body that occur after death, and the numerous factors that serve to alter the rate and nature of decomposition. Forensic dating methods, with a focus on forensic anthropological techniques, currently in use and those that have only recently been introduced are outlined, with the strengths and weaknesses of each technique reviewed critically. Finally, recommendations for future research are proposed which highlight the problems that plague current research, serving to render much of the work currently being published as potentially inapplicable to forensic scientists concerned with time since death.