Transcript Decomposition of Human Body

Decomposition of Human Body
This ppt contains graphic images.
5 stages of decomposition
• Initial decay
• Putrefaction
• Black putrefaction
• Butyric fermentation
• Dry decay
Initial Decay
• 0-3 days after death
• Bacteria in digestive tract start eating intestines,
break through and begin feeding on surrounding
organs
• Individual cells break down,
(autolysis)
releasing cell contents
into body
Putrefaction
• 4-10 days after death
• Body will be bloated from build-up of gases
released by bacteria living in intestines
• Skin blisters
• Build-up of fluids from ruptured cells and
intestines
• Skin begins slipping
• stinks
Putrefaction
Black Putrefaction
• 10-20 days after death
• Body begins to collapse and black surfaces are
exposed
• Bloated body collapses and leaves a flattened
body
• Loss of body fluids from body
Black Putrefaction
Butyric Fermentation
•
•
•
•
20-50 days
Little to no flesh and body dries out
Cheesy smell (caused by butyric acid)
Surface of body in contact with ground may
mold as body ferments
Butyric Fermentation
Dry decay
• 50-365 days after death
• Body is dry and continues to decay very slowly
because of lack of moisture
• Mostly reduced to hair and bones
• Eventually the hair will disappear
Dry decay
Picture of lividity
Questions
• What factors do you think would speed
up/slow down the rate of decomposition?
• How does the state of decomposition assist
scientists in determining time of death?