Transcript Decomposition of Human Body

Decomposition of Human Body
Notes on provided page 89
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,
releasing cell contents and
enzymes into body
Putrefaction
• 4-10 days after death
• Body will be bloated from build-up of gases in
body
• Gases released by bacteria living in intestines
• Skin blisters
• Build-up of fluids from ruptured cells and
intestines
• Skin begins slipping
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
• Large volume of body fluids drain from body
Black Putrefaction
Butyric Fermentation
• 20-50 days
• Remaining flesh on body is removed 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
• Answer on page 88
• 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?