I spent the five happiest years of my life in a morgue. As a forensic scientist in the Cleveland coroner’s office I analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes. Now I'm a certified latent print examiner and CSI for a police department in Florida. I also write a series of forensic suspense novels, turning the day job into fiction. My books have been translated into six languages.
Generally bodies in the water decompose more slowly than bodies exposed to air, but more specifically than that I cannot tell you. I did find this: https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/4078
It's really a pathology question and not my area. Also colder temperatures will cause slower decomposition than warmer temps.
I definitely can't answer your second question but also, are you asking a) how long the person lived as a sailor b) how long the person was in the water before the hand was cut off or c) how long they might have survived in the water after the hand was cut off (assuming they had no access to a tourniquet and such like)? If you could locate someone who worked as a ship's doctor they might be a big help.
Best of luck!!
Sure, I will email you.
if you have homework assignment interview questions, please email me all of them at once at: Lisa-black@live.com and I’ll get back to you.
Yes. Unless they have a crime lab more incredibly equipped than any I've ever visited.
Hollywood Executive Assistant
Subway Store Manager
Navy Officer (Former)
Nothing that is nationally famous.
Sure you can email me at lisa-black@live.com
I’m not sure what you mean—when I decided to go into forensic science (in which case it would be “that sounds really cool, like I could solve mysteries without being a cop”) or more like my very first day on the job (which would be “I hope I don’t screw up “).
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