Three Little Pigs: The Crime Trail Continues…

One of the new trends in forensic science is the process of post-mortem root banding. Root banding is the process in which the hair develops a dark-colored band along the root of the hair and this band can help determine the time of death of the animal.  In 2011, during the Casey Anthony trial evidence involving root banding was brought forth, but was at the time considered “junk science”.  Many forensic scientists are now studying the process as a legitimate method of determining death. I decided to do my experiment on it because there has not been much research done in this area in the Midwest.  I buried three pigs at different depths: on the surface, five inches, and at ten inches. I collected ten hairs once a day for three weeks.  My problem was: “Will the depth a pig is buried affect the rate of decomposition shown by root banding?”  My hypothesis was the Sus Scrofa domesticus buried at ten inches will experience the least amount of decomposition as evidenced by the root banding in three weeks. My hypothesis, the Sus Scrofa domesticus buried beneath ten inches of soil will have the shortest root band length, was not supported. My null hypothesis, the Sus Scrofa domesticus buried beneath ten inches of soil will not have the shortest root band length, was supported.  If I were to redo my experiment I would clean the hairs before observing.  I would also like to study the effects of other environments on a decomposing body.