"Forensic research, naturally" by Lara Indra, University of Bern
WINNER
CATEGORY 2. WOMEN AND MEN OF SCIENCE
Copyright CC-BY-NC-ND: Lara Indra
Forensic anthropologists estimate the time since death by studying bones and the decomposition of cadavers. This very complex process varies according to the environment and the intrinsic properties of the body, making this assessment difficult. I am sampling here a decomposed pig cadaver during an outdoor forensic experiment. The aim of the experiment was to establish a baseline including decomposition rate and pattern, entomology, soil chemistry and microbiology. This knowledge will inform decomposition research in forests and subsequently support time-since-death estimations in forensic cases. The image was taken by a wildlife camera, the reason for the information bar at the bottom.
Comment by the jury:
Taken by a wildlife automatic camera, the photograph provides an authentic and uncontrived glimpse of fieldwork in a fascinating research domain, and reminds us that science also means physical activity outside the sterile atmosphere of a lab.
"Forensic research, naturally" by Lara Indra, University of Bern
WINNER
CATEGORY 2. WOMEN AND MEN OF SCIENCE
Copyright CC-BY-NC-ND: Lara Indra
Forensic anthropologists estimate the time since death by studying bones and the decomposition of cadavers. This very complex process varies according to the environment and the intrinsic properties of the body, making this assessment difficult. I am sampling here a decomposed pig cadaver during an outdoor forensic experiment. The aim of the experiment was to establish a baseline including decomposition rate and pattern, entomology, soil chemistry and microbiology. This knowledge will inform decomposition research in forests and subsequently support time-since-death estimations in forensic cases. The image was taken by a wildlife camera, the reason for the information bar at the bottom.
Comment by the jury:
Taken by a wildlife automatic camera, the photograph provides an authentic and uncontrived glimpse of fieldwork in a fascinating research domain, and reminds us that science also means physical activity outside the sterile atmosphere of a lab.