forensics continued Flashcards
when does early postmortem occur
within the first 48 hours of death
stages of early post mortem
- algor mortis
- livor mortis
- rigor mortis
algor mortis
when the temperature of the body cools to the temperature of the environment
happens more quickly if nude or in a warmer environment
livor mortis
the bodily fluids sink to the bottom, causing body to turn the colour of a bruise
occurs 2 hours after death
rigor mortis
muscles begin to stiffen about ten minutes after death due to lack of oxygen
facial muscles first then rest of body
process complete in 24 hours
2 days until decomp
STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION STATE:
- early post mortem
- putrefaction
- black putrefaction
- butyric putrefaction
- dry decay
- skeletonization
define decomposition
breaking down of the body’s biological and chemical elements,
body decomp is affected by heat weather location, insect and animal activity, clothing and exposure to elements
tapophony
the study of what happens to remains after death
helps answer the questions when where and how the person died as well as who killed them
early post mortem
-cells and organs stop receiving oxygen
Release enzymes and bacteria into the body
-enzymes break down the internal tissue
-insects break down body from outside
-they enter the body and lay eggs–>maggots
Body still human
Putrefaction
- insects continue to break down body
- causing buildup of gases–> bloating–> bursting of some body parts–>smell of death–> relaease of hair mat–>internal organs leak put of body as thick black liquid
Black Putrefaction
Body collapses due to buildup of gases
Putrefaction
- insects continue to break down body
- causing buildup of gases–> bloating–> bursting of some body parts–>smell of death–> relaease of hair mat–>internal organs leak put of body as thick black liquid
Black Putrefaction
Body collapses due to buildup of gases
Remaining flesh turns black and emits fume due to bacterial activity
Purge fluid releases which causes a dark greasy stain around body
Butyric fermentation
Remaining tissue ferments and dries into bone
Part of body in contact wit ground gets mouldy
Dry decay
Body is now dry and decays slowly, eventually everything disappears and only bone is left
