From Prairie to Practice: Environmental Controls and a Forensic Taphonomic Framework in Southeastern Nebraska

Authors

• Jessica F. L. Gammage, Department of Anthropology, School of Global and Integrative Studies, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 8-12-2026

Document Type

Presentation

Citation

Gammage, Jessica F. L. (2026). Expanded Abstracts of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting vol. 1, pp. 17-21.

Comments

The Expanded Abstracts are longer versions of abstracts submitted to the Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Spring Meeting. They have been approved by section chairs in the same way that the section chairs accept abstracts for presentations. They have not been peer reviewed.

Abstract

Forensic taphonomy examines the postmortem processes that affect human remains, but much of the existing research has been developed in environments that differ significantly from those encountered in the Central Great Plains. This creates limitations when applying established models to regions like southeastern Nebraska, where decomposition is shaped by tallgrass prairie ecosystems, loess-derived soils, and strong seasonal variability. Addressing this gap is important for improving the accuracy and reliability of medicolegal interpretations.

This study evaluates how environmental conditions influence decomposition in southeastern Nebraska and proposes a regionally grounded framework for forensic taphonomic research. Drawing on existing literature, regional ecological data, and observations from comparable studies, this project examines how factors such as temperature, soil properties, moisture, vegetation, and scavenger activity affect decomposition processes in both surface and burial contexts.

Findings highlight that decomposition in this region often reflects high exposure conditions, including desiccation and instances of mummification, as well as variability associated with riparian dynamics and seasonal change. These patterns demonstrate that commonly used approaches, such as accumulated degree days and total body score, may require regional calibration to remain reliable across different environments.

By integrating environmental specificity with methodological design and ethical considerations, this study outlines a framework for developing sustainable and scientifically robust forensic research in underrepresented regions. This work contributes to broader efforts to improve the transferability of forensic methods while supporting more accurate and contextually informed interpretations in medicolegal casework.