Thesis Archives Search
This search engine will let you explore the over 1800 theses written in Honors at The University of Maine since the Program’s inception in 1935. You may search our thesis archives based on any of the fields listed above. If the thesis is available at the Reynolds Library (Thomson Honors Center) or Fogler Library (Special Collections), the information will appear below the bibliographic data. At last count, we had about 1800 theses in the Reynolds Library.
If you have information to add, or if we don’t have your thesis listed in our database, please let us know through our Alumna/us Connection Form.
Search Results
A Dancer’s Look into Using Nonverbal Communication to Create a More Natural Work of Art
A DCS Study on the Cure Reaction of Phenolic Resin/Paper Composite
A Deeper Look at Contemporary and Alternative Treatments For Hypertension
A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF PORCUPINE SCAVENGING IN AN EXPERIMENTAL FORENSIC CONTEXT
Major: Anthropology Graduation Year: 2017 Thesis Advisor: Marcella H. Sorg
Description of Publication:
Addressing the impact of scavengers is essential for a complete analysis of many forensic sites. Despite considerable research on canids and rodents on a broad taphonomic scale (Haglund 1992; Haglund et al. 1989; Haynes 1983), the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) has not been studied for its impact in forensic contexts. In order to address this research gap, I will explore the role of the porcupine in scavenging bone based on data collected during a recent experimental taphonomic study (Sorg 2013). Funded by the National Institute of Justice, this study included data from motion- and heat-sensitive cameras focused on domesticated pig (Sus scrofa) cadavers exposed in the western Maine woods between 2010 and 2012. Using the photographic and videographic evidence of scavenger visitations at two of these sites, I will examine the behavior of the North American porcupine each time an animal of that species visited the remains. I will compare their observed behavior to the literature regarding porcupine behavior and the behavior of other scavengers, including rodents and canids. Finally, I will compare porcupine dental morphology to the tooth-marks left on the remains to address the possibility of identifying porcupine-scavenged remains in forensic contexts.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/440
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF FORENSIC IMPLICATIONS OF RACCOON SCAVENGING IN MAINE
This thesis is a case study of winter raccoon scavenging in Maine. The data used for my analysis came from a National Institute of Justice funded project on Regional Taphonomy done by Marcella Sorg from 2007 to 2012 (Sorg, 2013). I analyzed the photographic and videographic data from one pig cadaver site and identified raccoon scavenging “events.” This term is used to describe any period of time that one or more raccoons are scavenging. These events were then analyzed to investigate possible associations between scavenging behaviors and environmental variables, although none were positively identified. I adapted a method of describing soft tissue lost via animal scavenging from the “Total Body Score” system in Megyesi et al., 2005, which was written to describe levels of decomposition. Through the analysis of the data from this site, typical raccoon behavior was established. This includes nocturnal, winter defleshing without bone modification both individually and within groups. Although no connections were found with environmental variables, a high frequency of winter scavenging was found associated with the mating season and the availability of food.
A Design for Shakespeare
Major: Theatre Graduation Year: 1971 Thesis Advisor: E. A. Cyrus
Description of Publication:
Location of Publication: fogler
URL to Thesis: Listed as BOOK in URSUS