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Study of Decomposition of a Body in Various Climatic Conditions International Medico-Legal Reporter Journal February 2021 ISSN: 2347 - 3525 Study of Decomposition of a Body in Various Climatic Conditions Shivangi Joshi3 ABSTRACT The decomposition of a corpse can be defined as the chemical and biological degradation of a corpse into its primary respective components. The process of decomposition happens in five different stages- fresh, bloated, decay, post-decay, and dry/skeletal. The extent of decomposition is based on the noticeable changes in the corpse that can help in the estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI). Compelling advancements in the fields of forensic anthropology, entomology, taphonomy, and many more have been made in the last few years which has allowed us to have a better understanding of the decomposition process. In this review paper, post mortem changes observed in corpses exposed to different temperature and climatic conditions are discussed. Besides temperature & climatic conditions, the rate of decomposition can also be influenced by many other factors like moisture, type of soil, insect activity, presence or absence of clothing, bodily trauma, and body mass. Hence, the combined study of forensics, taphonomy, and other fields can help in drawing out inferences about how weather condition affects the decomposition of a body which will help in easier post-mortem interval estimation. Keywords: post-mortem interval, taphonomy, decomposition, forensic anthropology INTRODUCTION A body undergoes several complex variations after death. The decomposition of a body starts immediately from the time of death to the time when the body turns skeletonized. Body decomposition mainly comprises autolysis and putrefaction, which are accompanied by various other bodily changes. Autolysis is swift and affects the tissues and cells that have a high enzyme content (such as the liver) and high water content [1]. The early stages of decomposition are marked by discoloration of the skin [2]. The absence of oxygen results in anaerobic respiration in the cells for the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) [3]. This anaerobic respiration results in the build-up of lactic acid and carbon dioxide in cells and tissues which disrupts the cell function. The enzymes present in these dead cells start self-digesting [4]. The putrefaction soon follows autolysis. The slight odor of rotting flesh and stains visible on the abdomen indicates the onset of putrefaction [5,6]. The whole body gets flooded by the bacterias i.e. Clostridium spp., Streptococci, and the Enterobacteria during the putrefactive stage [6]. These microbes destroy the cells that result in the release of several gases and body fluids, which get filled up in the cavities and causes 'bloating'. Forensic anthropology, forensic medicine, and forensic taphonomy help in investigating the sequence and types of changes occurring in decomposing bodies under varying conditions and environments. The rate and sequence of the process may vary due to multiple intrinsic (such as body mass, age, trauma) and extrinsic factors (such as environment, soil, insect activity) [5,6,7]. These factors may cause the same cadaver to exhibit various stages of decomposition at the same time [8]. The stages of decomposition taking place can also vary from one to many, depending on the geographical conditions [5,9]. Human activities also impact the decomposition rate via environment and climatic factors. An understanding of the postmortem changes is crucial for the estimation of the postmortem interval 3 M.Sc. Forensic Science, SHUATS 36 Legal Desire Media & Insights www.legaldesire.com/forensics International Medico-Legal Reporter Journal February 2021 ISSN: 2347 - 3525 (PMI). This review paper is written with a view of explaining the various changes that occur in a human once they are dead, along with the factors and the role of climate influencing them. CHANGES IN DECOMPOSITION The changes that develop in bodies include livor mortis, rigor mortis, algor mortis, autolysis, and putrefaction, followed by saponification, mummification, and skeletonization [10]. ⮚ Algor Mortis Once death has occurred, the body ceases to regulate its internal temperature and the internal temperature begins to approximate the ambient temperature [11]. The average drop of 1.5° F in body temperature per hour is noted in cool environment [5,12]. Any estimate of the post-mortem interval obtained using this technique should be limited to the very early stages of death (18 h or less) and treated with care [11]. Many scholars have devised formulae to calculate the post-mortem interval by examining the decrease in body temperature [5,12]. Most commonly the recorded temperature from the rectum and liver is used for calculation of post-mortem interval. Several factors also influence the decrease in body temperature like the size of an individual, the presence or absence of material on a corpse, and environmental conditions. ⮚ Livor Mortis It is a physical process of accumulation of blood in the blood vessels, by gravity, in the lowest part of the body. This causes the discoloration of many body parts, appearing as bright red to dark purplish [6]. Livor mortis is also referred to as post-mortem lividity or hypostasis [5,11]. The signs of livor mortis begin to appear in an hour after death [11]. They become prominent in 2-4 hours and get fixed in about 9 to 12 hours. However, it is worth noting that the timing of livor mortis is highly variable [4]. Tight-fitting clothing or continued pressure will prevent the hypostasis. ⮚ Rigor Mortis Rigor mortis is the phenomenon of muscle stiffness on a corpse because of certain chemical changes. As ATP is converted to ADP and lactic acid is produced lowering the cellular pH, locking chemical bridges are formed between actin and myosin resulting in the formation of rigor [11]. The process involves both types of muscle, i.e. voluntary and involuntary muscles. It is first evident in the facial muscles at 1 to 4 hours after death [4]. Rigor can be first detected in the face and then spreads during the next 2-3hrs to the shoulders and arms, reaching down to the trunk to involve the legs and becoming fully established by about 12hrs [13].The rigidity of muscles persists for about 24 hours or so then the body returns to a flaccid state [6,11]. ⮚ Autolysis Autolysis entails cellular breakdown prompted by the chemicals produced endogenously by our body. As the heart stops pumping blood, the cells become deprived of oxygen causing them to break down and start releasing hydrolytic enzymes. This decrease in oxygen causes a decrease in intracellular pH, triggering the autolysis. The hydrolytic enzymes in the lysosomes digest carbohydrates and proteins, while fats are affected to a lesser degree [14]. The changes can be observed microscopically after 48 hours of death. As the process progresses, the external change appears in form of skin slippage. In skin slippage, the outer layer of skin, the stratum corneum begins to separate from the underlying dermis due to the production of hydrolytic enzymes from the cells at the dermal-epidermal junction in the skin [11]. Besides epidermis, hair and nails also become loose and fall off when slightly pulled. ⮚ Putrefaction The chemical processes taking place in this stage are for complex biomolecules present in our body 37 Legal Desire Media & Insights www.legaldesire.com/forensics International Medico-Legal Reporter Journal February 2021 ISSN: 2347 - 3525 that are reduced into foul-smelling gases, liquids, and simpler compounds. Most post mortem changes by putrefaction are visible macroscopically such as discoloration of skin and bloating of body parts [7]. The signs of putrefaction are visible in 4-10 days after death. The bacterias present in the gastrointestinal tract break down hemoglobin into sulfohemoglobin resulting in green abdominal staining [8]. The intestinal bacteria spread easily to different body parts through the venous system. The bacteria start hemolyzing the blood, causing the staining to appear on the chest, neck, shoulders, arms, and thighs. The veins first appear reddish-brown, then later change to green depending on the amount of formation of sulfohemoglobin. This phenomenon is known as 'marbling' [8]. Loss in structural integrity and nutrient-rich environment gives extrinsic microbes a perfect opportunity for uncontrolled growth and also to colonize in the gut, respiratory tract, and other cavities of a decomposing cadaver. The rapid production and accumulation of gas, mostly hydrogen sulfide, causes abdominal distention, swelling in the facial area and external genitalia, which ultimately causes purging of putrefactive liquids from the mouth and nostrils and referred to as ‘postmortem purging' [8,16]. ⮚ Saponification Saponification is an event that occurs after death in which a body undergoes chemical changes that transform body fat into a substance called adipocere [15]. Adiopocere is a fatty substance produced as a consequence of hydrolysis and hydrogenation of fatty tissues [8]. It is waxy, and brittle in texture with yellowish off-white coloring. The process of saponification best occurs in warm and damp conditions. Adipocere formation is seen greater in bodies having a greater fat content than the emaciated ones. It can occur as early as in three weeks, but usually, it takes three months to form [9]. ⮚ Mummification This is a process of natural or artificial conservation, which consists of the dehydration and exsiccation (the process of drying up) of tissues [8]. For mummification, the temperature should either be very high or very low. The low level of humidity decreases the bacterial action occurring in the corpse. The dehydrated skin and tissues undergo slow oxidative processes that make those tissues appear brown and leathery. As for the internal organs, they may be partially mummified, putrefied, with adipocere. STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION ● Fresh Stage (0-2days)- This stage begins immediately after death. All the autolytic processes and early post-mortem changes that include algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis occurs in this stage.
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