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Forensic taphonomy is an applied science with clear aims: Use the processes associated with cadaver decomposition to estimate postmortem or postburial interval, determine cause and manner of death, locate clandestine graves, and identify the deceased (Haglund 2005; Haglund and Sorg 1997). Forensic taphonomy derives these aims from taphonomy, a branch of palaeontology (Efremov 1940). Taphonomy was developed to understand the ecology of a decomposition site, how site ecology changes on the introduction of plant or2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 29 2.2 Cadavers: Composition and Decomposition ...........................................31 2.3 The Formation of a Cadaver Decomposition Island ............................. 332.3.1 Fresh and Bloated Cadavers ......................................................... 35 2.3.2 Active Decay ................................................................................... 35 2.3.3 Advanced …