The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in peri-urban and rural regions of central and southern Alberta. Part II - Dispersal patterns of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers.

Recovering forensic evidence in dispersed scenarios is challenging because of the taphonomic influence of scavengers. This study aimed to observe how remains were dispersed by the scavenger guilds identified in Part 1 (Forbes et al., 2024) of a Canadian study, which include bears, canids, and magpies, and other possible environmental factors. Clothed pig carcasses (Sus scrofa) were placed in open- and closed-canopy habitats of peri-urban and rural regions of two major cities in Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton). Four carcasses were deposited in each city in August 2021 and again in 2022, and a search to document and recover the remains was conducted 10-12 months after deposition. The mean recovery rates of skeletal elements were 22.5 % (2.0 %-66.9 %). Calgary rural open and closed environments had the largest maximum dispersal distances (60-70 m) which may be associated with the presence of grizzly bears and canid scavengers (coyotes and semi-wild dogs). There was no statistical difference in dispersal distances between open and closed habitats. Limbs were the most common skeletal element dispersed furthest. The results offer new and relevant information to organizations tasked with searching for human remains, especially remains that may have been scavenged and scattered from the original deposition site in an Albertan landscape.