ARTIFACT IN FORENSIC MEDICINE - POSTMORTEM RODENT ACTIVITY

The human body may be attacked by a variety of animals. It is a potent ial source of confounding marks for forensic practitioners when unmask ing criminal activity. A case that posed some problems for the crime s cene investigators on discovering a dead body indoors, which had both ears missing is discussed. The suspicion initially was that of homicid al mutilation of the corpse. A general awareness of artefactual postmo rtem animal activity may avoid their misinterpretation. This short rep ort acknowledges a persistent paucity in the forensic literature on th e subject of human remains and postmortem animal activity.