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Disclaimer! Decomposition is not only time-dependent, hence why the stages do not have time scales. Decomposition can be delayed by cold temperatures, dry atmosphere, burial/underwater/hanging above ground, embalming etc, and can be promoted by warmth, humidity, unrestricted oxygen, visible wounds on the body, surface burning, being on top of soil etc...
no discolouration or insect activity
paling of the skin (pallor mortis) and
cooling of the body (algor mortis)
muscles become flaccid - body may release stool, urine, saliva, etc
(within 3-6 hours) muscles become rigid due to chemical reaction (rigor mortis) - face affected first, can take up to 24 hours to reach max rigor and can last for up to 3 days
(within 6-12 hours) blood pools to the inferior-most parts of the body following gravity (livor mortis) - looks like big bruises, but doesn't affect body parts which make direct contact with a surface because the capillaries are crushed
autolysis/deconstruction of cells/tissues by their own enzymes may cause blisters to appear on the skin
body bloats due to the production of vapours
cells are rupturing and breaking apart
tissues are broken down by bacteria
intestines push out and are subjected to distension
eyes, lips and tongue swell
blisters form on the skin filled with putrid gas (1-20cm)
skin becomes green with brown/purple veins (marbling) - because of an excess of sulphur due to bacteria/enzyme activity, primarily seen in the abdomen
skin slippage (degloving on hands)
adipocere!!! is the process of anaerobic bacterial hydrolysis creating a wax-like substance over the body - this only happens when exposed to alkaline, warm and damp water/soil - this STOPS further decomposition!!! looks soft, greasy and grey and then hardens and becomes brittle
fluids and gases seep through any orifices (purging)
decomposition fluids leak into the surrounding environment
skin perforates/punctures exposing organs
presence of diptera and coleoptera - invertebrae detritivores
blowflies are of the first colonising insects
any plant life surrounding the corpse will die
no tissues, organs or liquid remaining
in very hot and dry atmospheres, soft tissues dry out and mummification can occur - begins in areas with little fluid such as fingers and toes - and takes at least 3 months