/ 15 August 2016

Belinda Speed: One of the few researchers examining decomposition in a marine setting

Belinda Speed
Belinda Speed

Belinda Speed is completing her PhD in forensic medicine at UCT’s department of pathology. After receiving an entrance scholarship to study a BSc in genetics and microbiology at UCT in 2005, Speed went on to complete her BSc (Med) honours in applied anatomy in 2008 and her MSc in biological anthropology, graduating in 2012 with distinction. She has won numerous awards, including the DAAD In-Country Scholarship (2009-2010), the Harry Crossley Research Fellowship (2009-2010 and 2014-2016), and the NRF Scarce Skills Fellowship (2014-2016).

Her research involves establishing baseline decomposition rates in marine environments of the Western Cape. Using time-lapse cameras and pig carcasses as analogues for humans, her research aims to establish the length of time it takes for decomposition to be completed and to identify the marine fauna involved in the decomposition process. Her research is the first of its kind in South Africa and she is one of only a few core researchers in the world researching decomposition in a marine setting. Speed aims to compare the data collected from the pig carcass decomposition to real forensic cases of marine decomposition, where the post-mortem interval is unknown, in order to establish a better estimation of the time since death.

Speed has presented papers at numerous national and international conferences, including the Congress of the International Federation of Anatomical Associations (2009), the Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa (2012, 2014 – 2016) and theForensic Services Conference for the South African Police Service (2015). She gives guest lectures as an expert in her field to undergraduate and postgraduate students. As a forensic anthropologist, she assists forensic specialists and police officials with the identification of unknown people from skeletal remains. When she is not doing research, she is an active volunteer for the National Sea Rescue Institute.

The research in which she is involved aims to bring South Africa onto the map in terms of forensic science research, particularly decomposition studies. It will also provide more accurate information to assist with the identification of unknown individuals. Speed hopes this will help to provide more families with the closure they seek after losing a loved one.