EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY ON THE MOTHER CITY'S FIELDS OF DEATH

"Also, there are vast areas in SA which are quite rural and not densely populated, so a deceased person might be reported as missing, but the body may only be discovered much later.

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"By that time, the perpetrator has had time to discard of evidence, move away, or move on to more victims in the case of serial offenders.

"Decomposition might mask trauma which again makes it more difficult to prosecute offenders, should they be caught. There might also be degradation of biological evidence on/in the body.

"A body exposed to the elements decomposes faster than a body which is buried. Not only does the weather play a role, but also exposure to insects and animals.

"DNA is always the best way to conclusively and scientifically identify a person. Newer techniques have enabled scientists to extract minute amounts of DNA, amplify it and to then get results.

"Fingerprints are also good, if still available, which is sometimes still the case.

"Dental records may be used by forensic odontologists to compare with postmortem dental records, although not very many people in South Africa have preexisting dental records.