Decomposition of Human Body

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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

Mummification•Decay in dry conditions, both warm and

cold, with strong air current leading to increased water loss▫In deserts, cold places▫Murder victim placed in chimneys▫Can be preserved for hundreds and

thousands of years (provided there are no insects feeding on them).