Abstract:
This was the first taphonomic study conducted in Sarawak, Malaysia. In this research, two adults female Sus scrofa domestica
weighed 77 kg each were killed by machete at the heart region. In order to mimic a real human body, clothes made of pure
cotton was put on the subjects. Pure cotton clothes are mostly worn by Malaysian population due to hot and humid climate.
Both the carcases were placed in separate locations labelled as A and B in a jungle and taphonomic changes were recorded.
All stages of decomposition namely the fresh stage, bloated stage, active decay stage, advanced decay stage and remains stage
were observed and documented. Daily observation on both the remains was recorded. The ambient temperature, internal body
temperature, temperature of larvae mass, body surface temperature, soil surface temperature and humidity of air were
recorded daily. Time for each stage of decomposition was determined. During the decomposition process, insects and larvae
appeared in each stage of decomposition process were collected and preserved for reference. Photos and videos were taken on
each subject throughout the research. The hot and humid climate in Sarawak accelerates the decomposition process. The time
taken for both bodies to reach remains stage was nine days. Both the cotton clothes were still preserved until the end of
research. In conclusion, it took 9 days for Sus scrofa domestica to be fully skeletonised, on the ground, in an equatorial
climate of Sarawak, Malaysia.
