THE EFFECTS OF POISONING ON THE DECOMPOSITION RATES AND PATTERN IN ADULT VS JUVENILE PIGS USED AS HUMAN PROXIES.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of poisoning on the decomposition rates and patterns in juvenile and adult pigs, used as proxies for human decomposition, under different depositional environments. Four (2 juveniles and 2 adults) were poisoned and divided into surface and hanged conditions. The decomposition stages (fresh, bloating, active decay, advanced decay, and skeletonization/mummification) were observed and recorded for both groups. Results showed that juvenile pigs decomposed at an accelerated rate compared to adult pigs, with distinct differences between surface and hanged environments. The surface juvenile poisoned (SJP) pig entered the fresh stage immediately after death, which lasted for five days, followed by bloating from day 5 to day 9, active decay from day 10 to day 15, advanced decay from day 16 to day 49, and skeletonization beginning on day 50. In contrast, the hanging juvenile poisoned (HJP) pig had a faster progression through the decomposition stages, with the fresh stage lasting only 1 day, bloating from day 2 to day 5, active decay from day 6 to day 11, advanced decay from day 12 to day 18, and mummification by day 32, without reaching full skeletonization by day 55. In adult poisoned pigs, the surface adult poisoned (SAP) pig showed a slower decomposition rate, with the fresh stage lasting 1 day, bloating from day 2 to day 5, active decay from day 5 to day 10, advanced decay from day 11 to day 45, and skeletonization starting on day 46. The hanging adult poisoned (HAP) pig followed a similar but slower pattern, with skeletonization occurring by day 60. The findings suggest that poisoning, combined with body size and depositional environment, significantly affects the rate and pattern of decomposition. Juvenile pigs decompose faster than adult pigs, and surface-deposited pigs decompose more rapidly than hanged pigs.