Carnivore scavenging patterns in terrestrial contexts: a 25-year retrospective study of forensic anthropology cases from Greece

Abstract Animal scavenging is frequently encountered in forensic investigations. The identification of scavenging is crucial, as scavengers have the potential to disrupt forensic contexts significantly by disarticulating body elements and consuming portions of bone. Determining the anatomical areas more commonly affected by scavengers can assist in recognizing the presence of scavenging activity in forensic contexts. Past forensic cases, submitted to the Forensic Anthropology Unit of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School for analysis between 1999 and 2023, were analyzed. Of the 256 cases examined, 62 exhibited signs of carnivore scavenging, while 194 presented no such evidence. To evaluate the impact of scavenging on human decomposition, the data collected from these cases were analyzed and compared. This comparison aimed to identify and assess any statistically significant differences in preservation and environmental conditions between scavenged and non-scavenged remains. The results indicate that scavenging is more likely to occur in rural settings and areas characterized by low population density. A lower prevalence of upper limb bones was reported in cases exhibiting signs of scavenging. Furthermore, this study identified specific anatomical regions that are preferentially affected by scavenger activity. Given the relative scarcity of similar research in Europe, the present study provides valuable insights into scavenging patterns in Greece and the broader European context.