Picked Clean, Forensic Studies

On my ride home from work on Tuesday, I noticed a fresh roadkill deer to my right as I drove out of Good Hope, Georgia. It was surrounded by a wake of Turkey Vultures waiting their turn to dine. On Wednesday afternoon, several Black Vultures sat upon the carcass, sticking their heads between the now exposed rib bones. On Thursday, a couple of crows were present at the feast. But today, nothing but a perfect skeleton was left. ​I was amazed to see how quickly and efficiently the "carrion crows" could clean a carcass.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 35869489 - White-tailed Deer skeleton; Walton County, Georgia. March 17, 2017.

This may seem like a morbid, useless observation. But forensic scientists study vultures to help find and gain clues from bodies from crimes. The time of death is often an important piece of evidence in obtaining a conviction in a murder case. Therefore, studying the amount of time it can take a group of vultures to clean a carcass can be important information. An interesting article on the subject can be found at https://phys.org/news/2012-03-forensics-texas-focuses-vultures.html

Walton County, Georgia

Posted on 17 de março de 2022, 06:16 PM by williamwisephoto