Multidisciplinary analyses of partial human remains discovered in the Caribbean Sea (Venezuela)

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ABSTRACT

In March 2022, human remains were discovered submerged 15 metres underwater, near Cubagua Island, Venezuela. The remains were intricately entangled and secured to the seafloor. The investigation was conducted by the Servicio Nacional de Medicina y Ciencias Forenses (SENAMECF) of Venezuela, and it involved an underwater recovery operation, followed by a comprehensive examination. The medicolegal, anthropological, odontological, and taphonomical analyses alongside diatom test were conducted to ascertain the identity of the remains, determine the cause of death, and estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI)/post-mortem submersion interval (PMSI). Collaborative efforts with international experts on adipocere and barnacle analyses allowed for the refinement of the enhanced the precision of information provided in plea announcements, which facilitated the identification of the subject. Forensic analyses on incomplete and highly decomposed human remains present inherent complexities, which are exacerbated in underwater environments. Compounded by the limited experience and expertise in aquatic forensics among law enforcement agencies worldwide, the present case exemplifies a successful professional collaboration that surmounted a diverse array of challenges. This case underscores the critical importance of knowledge-sharing within the continuously evolving field of forensic science, serves as an illustrative example, and provides guidelines for the investigation of similar cases in the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Aquatic forensic
• barnacles
• postmortem interval (PMI)
• postmortem submersion interval (PMSI)

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales for the support in the identification of the barnacle species and the Ministerio Público (MP) y Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas Penales y Criminalísticas (CICPC), criminal investigators of the case.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).