Vertebrate scavengers alter the chronology of carcass decay

Abstract

AbstractWhen feeding on exposed corpses, vertebrate scavengers can alter the chronology of decay and interfere with post‐mortem interval estimation. However, information on vertebrate scavengers’ actions in areas of the Brazilian Cerrado is scarce, which may constrain future criminal investigations. Thus, we aimed to identify the vertebrate species that visit carcasses, determine whether the number of visits between seasons and among phytophysiognomies varies and examine whether decay stage influences attractiveness to vertebrate scavengers. We obtained data using camera traps installed in two protected areas with three Cerrado phytophysiognomies. The 2032 photographs and 109 videos obtained showed that eight mammal and one bird species interacted with the carcasses. Canis familiaris and Caracara plancus had the highest numbers of carcass visits and feeding events. Stage of decay negatively influenced the number of mammal visits to the carcasses, but bird visits were not affected. Seasons did not affect visit number, and most visits occurred in the cerrado sensu stricto. Because they interfere with the decay process, possibly compromising evidence interpretation, scavengers should be considered in forensic analyses.