PUTREFACTION OF THE BODY: - OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION:

OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION:

4. PUTREFACTION OF THE BODY:

Putrefaction is the breaking down of the complex proteins into simpler components associated with the evolution of foul smelling gasses and accompanied by the change of color of the body.

Tissue in Putrefaction:

The following are the principal changes undergone by the soft tissues of the body in the process of

a. in the Color of the Tissue:

A few hours after death, there is hemolysis of the blood within the blood vessels and as a result of which hemoglobin is liberated. The hemoglobin diffuses through the walls of the blood vessels and stains the surrounding tissues thereby im-parting a red or reddish-brown color.

While in the tissues, the hemoglobin undergoes chemical changes and various derivatives of hemoglobin are formed. On account of these chemical changes the tissue color is gradually

ASPECTS OF DEATH 137 changed to greenish-blue, or greenish-black color.

The earliest change is greenish color of the skin seen at the region of the right iliac fossa and it gradually spreads over the whole abdominal wall. Blood later into the cavities of the body.

— It is the prominence of the superficial veins with reddish discoloration during the process of decomposition which develops on both flanks of the abdomen, root of the neck and shoulder and which makes the area look like a

reticule of branching veins. This is observed easily among dead persons with fair complexion.

b. Evolution of in the Tissues:

One of the products of putrefaction is the evolution of gases.

Carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen, sulphurated hydrogen, hydrogen, and methane gases are formed. The offensive odor is due to these gases and also due to a small quantity of

The formation of gases causes the distention of the abdomen and bloating of the whole body. Gases formed in the subcu-taneous tissues and in the and neck cause swelling of the whole body. Small gas bubbles are found in solid visceral organs and give rise to the "foamy" appearance of the organs.

Effects of the Pressure of Gases of Putrefaction:

(1) of the Blood:

There may be post-mortem bleeding in open wounds on account of the increased pressure inside the body brought about by the accumulation of gases. The post-mortem lividity be shifted to other parts of the body. The heart may empty itself of

(2) Bloating of the Body:

On account of the accumulation of the body is and swollen. The eyes may be protruding from its the tongue may come out of the mouth, and the face is black with thick lips having the appearance of a negro (tete de

( 3 ) Fluid Coming Out of Both Nostrils and Mouth:

Fluid coming out of both nostrils and mouth is usually in the form of froth. It is due to the putrefaction of the upper and respiratory tracts.

( 4 ) Extrusion of the Fetus in a Gravid

On account of the increased intra-abdominal pressure, the contents of the gravid uterus may be expelled, but this

138 LEGAL MEDICINE

event is quite doubtful when the product of conception is full term because of the difficulty of expulsion.

There is more likelihood for the uterus to rupture inside the abdominal cavity.

(5) Floating of the Body:

The specific gravity of a decomposed body is much less as compared with a recently dead. This is brought about by the increase of gaseous content and increase in volume due to bloating without any increase in

Liquefaction of the Soft Tissues:

As decomposition progresses, the soft tissues of the body undergo softening and liquefaction. The eyeballs, brain, stomach, intestine, liver and spleen putrefy rapidly, while highly muscular organs and tissues relatively putrefy late.

in water with bloating of the whole body, blackening of the face and attitude of the extremities at the time of recovery.

Factors Modifying the Rate of Putrefaction:

a. Internal Factors:

(1) Age:

Healthy adults later than infants. It may be late in a newborn infant who have not yet been fed. Marked-ly emaciated person has the tendency to mummify.

ASPECTS OF DEATH Condition of the

Those of the full-grown and highly obese persons decom-pose more rapidly than skinny ones. Bodies of still-born are usually sterile so decomposition is retarded.

( 3 ) of Death:

Bodies of persons whose cause of death is due to in-fection decompose rapidly. This is also true when the diseased condition is accompanied with anasarca. Bodies whose sudden death is not due to microorganism decom-pose late.

b. External Factors:

(1) Free Air:

(a) Air — The accessibility of the body to free air will hasten decomposition.

(b) Moderate Moisture — Moderate amount of moisture will accelerate decomposition, but excessive amount will prevent the access of air to the body thereby delaying decomposition. Moisture is necessary for the growth and multiplication of bacteria, however, if the eva-poration of fluid is marked, there will be mummifica-tion of the tissues and putrefacmummifica-tion will be

(d) Temperature of the Air — The optimum temperature for specific decomposition is 70°F to 100°F. Decom-position does not occur at temperatures below 32°F or about 212°F.

(e) Light — The organism responsible for the putrefaction prefers more the absence of light.

(2) Earth:

Dry absorbent soil retards decomposition while moist fertile soil accelerates decomposition.

( 3 ) Water:

Decomposition in running water is more rapid than in still water. Bacteria-laden pools will accelerate decom-position.

( 4 )

Clothings initially hasten putrefaction by maintaining body temperature but in the later stage, clothings delay decomposition by protecting the body from the ravages of flies and other insects. Tight clothings delay putrefaction

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due to the diminution of blood in the area on account of pressure.

Physical Changes of the Body during Putrefaction in Chronological Order:

a. External

Greenish discoloration over the iliac fossa appearing after one to three days.

(2) Extension of the greenish discoloration over the whole abdomen and other parts of the body.

(3) Marked discoloration and swelling of the face with bloody froth coming out of the nostrils and mouth.

(4) Swelling and discoloration of the or of the vulva.

Distention of the abdomen with gases.

Development of bullae in the face of varying sizes.

(7) Bursting of the bullae and denudation of large irregular surfaces due to the shedding of the epidermis.

(8) Escape of blood-stained fluid from the mouth and nostrils.

Brownish discoloration of the surface veins giving an arborescent pattern on the skin.

Liquefaction of the eyeballs.

Increased discoloration of the body generally and progres-sive increase of abdominal distention.

Presence of maggots.

(13) Shedding of the nails and of the hairs.

(14) Conversion of the tissue into semi-fluid mass.

(15) Facial feature unrecognizable.

(16) Bursting the abdomen and thoracic cavities.

dissolution of the body.

b. Internal Changes:

(1) Those which Putrefy Early:

(a)

(b) Lining of the trachea and larynx.

(d)

(e) Liver.

(f) Uterus (if pregnant or in puerperal (2) Those which Putrefy Late:

(a) Esophagus.

(b) Diaphragm.

(d) Lungs.

(e) Kidneys.

(f) Urinary

ASPECTS OF DEATH 141 (g) Uterus (if not

(h) Prostate

Organs rich in muscular tissues resist putrefaction longer than the parenchymatous organs with the exception of the stomach and intestines which by reason of their contents at the time of death decompose quickly.

Factors Influencing the Changes in the Body after Burial:

a. State of the Body Before Death:

An emaciated person at the time of death will decompose slower as compared with well-nourished individual when placed under the same conditions and circumstances. Skinny person has more tendency to mummify, especially at the regions of

extremities.

b. Time between Death and Burial and Environment of the Body:

If the temperature of the surroundings at the time of death is conducive for the growth and multiplication of bacteria, then the longer the time such body is exposed to such condition the faster is the decomposition. However, if the body has been frozen to death for quite a time, there will be retardation of body decomposition. The presence of filthy, pultaceous and organic materials in the surroundings coupled with the presence of light and optimum temperature will enhance the decom-position.

Effect of Coffin:

The use of a coffin will delay decomposition if it is air-tight and hard. If soft and weak, water can easily percolate at the floor and top, thus it will not serve the purpose. The body in a coffin usually decompose later as compared with the body which is

d. Clothings and Any Other on the Body when Buried:

Clothings and other body coverings delay decomposition.

Most often the covered portions of the body are well preserved for sometime. The most probable reasons why clothings retard decomposition are:

It affords some protection from insects and aids

formation keeping the body under it continuously moist by absorbing water from the soil.

(2) The pressure of the clothings on the body.

e. Depth at which Body Buried:

As a general rule, the greater the depth the body been buried, the better is the preservation. There is aeration in

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shallow grave and this is a conducive invitation for and other animals. The changes of temperature of the body on account of the changing weather conditions is more marked in shallow graves.

Condition and Type of Soil:

Dry, arid and sandy soil promotes mummification of the body. The presence of straw or other organic matters that will introduce more bacteria will accelerate decomposition.

g. Inclusion of Something in the Grave which will Hasten Decom-Some organic materials, like food are sometimes included with the dead body inside the coffin because of their super-stition that it will be utilized by the departed soul in its life hereafter. Its inside the coffin will accelerate pu-trefaction.

h. Access of Air to the Body After Burial:

Air may hasten evaporation of the body fluid and promotes mummification. Bacteria-laden air will promote decomposition.

Humid air will enhance adipocere formation. However, acces-sibility of air means also accesacces-sibility of insects and other scavengers which will promote destruction of the soft tissues of the body.

Mass

This is seldom seen, except in mass massacre, war and in plane crash. There is relatively rapid decomposition of the j. Trauma on the

Persons dying from infection decompose rapidly while those dying of violent death decompose relatively slow.

On account of the presence of several factors which modify decomposition of the body after death, it is quite difficult to make an estimate as to the duration of death of a decomposed body without considering those different elements influencing it.

Chronological Sequence of Putrefactive Changes Occurring in Temperate Regions:

Putrefactive Changes Time a. Greenish discoloration over the

iliac fossae. The eyeballs are soft

and yielding. 1 to 3 days after death.

b. Greenish discoloration spreading over the whole abdomen, external genitals and other parts of the

ASPECTS OF DEATH body. Frothy blood from the

mouth and nostrils.

Abdomen distended with gas.

Cornea fallen in and concave.

Purplish red streaks of veins prominent on the extremities.

Sphincters relaxed. Nails firm.

Body greenish-brown. Blisters forming all over the body. Skin peels off. Features unrecog-nizable. Scrotum distended.

Body swollen up owing to distention. Maggots found on the body. Nails and hair loose and easily detached.

Soft parts changes into a thick, semi-fluid black mass. Skull exposed. Orbits empty.

3 to 5 days after death.

8 to 10 days after death.

14 to 20 days after death.

2 to 5 months after death.

Medicine, cited by Modi, Medical dence and Toxicology, 12 p. 134).

Chronological Sequence

of Putrefactive Changes Occurring in Condition of the Body

Rigor mortis present all over. Hypostasis well-developed and fixed. Greenish dis-coloration showing over the caecum.

Rigor mortis absent all over. Green dis-coloration over whole abdomen and spreading to chest. Abdomen distended with gases.

Ova of flies seen.

Trunk bloated. Face discolored and swollen. Blisters present. Moving maggots seen.

Whole body grossly swollen and Hair and nails loose. Tissues soft

Soft viscera putrefied.

Only more resistant viscera distinguish-able. Soft tissues largely gone.

Body skeletonized.

144 LEGAL MEDICINE

(From: in 2nd

p. 25).

Body decomposition in warm countries, according to Lambert, will reduce the whole body to a skeleton in a month's time when exposed to air. In water, putrefaction proceeds twice as slowly as it is in air. When the body is buried, the rate depends on the mode of burial. In deep burial with coffin, putrefaction proceeds from four to six times as slowly as compared with that one in air, but with shallow burial, it is very slightly retarded.

Decomposition - Soft tissues of the chest and head have disappeared while those of the abdomen and extremities are mummified.

Chronological Sequence of Putrefactive Changes When the Body Has Been Submerged in Water:

Putrefactive Changes Time a. Very little change if water is

cold. Rigor mortis may persist. First four or five days.

b. The skin on the hands and feet became sodden and bleached.

The face appears softened and

a faded white color. From five to seven days.

Face swollen and red. Greenish discoloration on the eyelids, lips, neck and sternum. Skin of the hands and feet wrinkled. Upper

ASPECTS OF DEATH surface of brain greenish in

color. One to two

d. Skin wrinkled. Scrotum and penis distended with gas. Nails and hair still intact. Lungs

emphy-sematous and covered the heart. Four e. Abdomen distended, skin of

hands and feet come off with

nails like a glove. Six to eight weeks.

of cited by Modi, Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 12th ed. 1957, p. 138).

Factors Influencing the Floating of the Body in Water:

a. Age:

Bodies of fully-developed and well-nourished newly-born float relatively rapid.

Women float sooner than men. This is due to the lightness of female bones and greater of fat, hence lesser specific gravity.

Conditions of the

Stout persons float quicker than skinny, lean and thin bodies. Bodies with loose clothings will soon come to the surface.

d. Season of the Year:

The moist hot air of summer is very favorable for putre-faction. Putrefaction makes the body bloat on account of gas formation, hence it will accelerate floating of the body.

e. Water:

Dead body floats in a shallow and stagnant water of creeks or pond sooner than in deep water of running stream. The stag-nant water has higher specific gravity than clear water, so it is easy for the dead body to overcome it by gas formation. Body floats sooner in sea than in fresh water on account of the high

gravity of sea water.

f. External

The presence of heavy-wearing apparel or the addition of weight in the pockets or attached to the body by means of rope or string will delay the floating of the body.

of Putrefaction When the Body is in Water:

a. Face and neck or sternum.

b. Shoulders.

146 LEGAL MEDICINE Arms.

Abdomen.

e. Legs.

Decomposition — The whole body almost skeletonized

Influence of Bacteria in

Decomposition is due to action of bacteria in various tissues of the body. During the early period of decomposition, aerobic activities are prominent. Later, the facultative aerobes and anae-robes are present. In the advanced stage, the activities of the

are the most prominent with the production of gasses.

The softening of the tissues is the result of bacterial action, proteolytic and autolytic ferments.

The microorganism that plays an important and dominant role in decomposition is Clostridium This bacteria starts to grow in parenchymatous organs. It is responsible for the dis-integration of cytoplasm, destruction of nuclei and generation of gases in the cells.

Other bacteria which participate in tissue destruction during the period of decomposition

a. Bacillus

b. Bacillus vulgaris.

Bacillus

d. Bacillus aerogenes

ASPECTS OF DEATH 147 Other Destructive Agents During Decomposition:

Maggots (Larvae):

The presence of maggots is dependent upon the acces-sibility of the body to adult flies. The flies lay eggs which after a time is hatched to form maggots. The maggots have a strong desire to live in damaged skin surface. Maggots may also be observed in bodies buried in shallow graves and even in floating decomposed bodies in water pools.

(2) Adult Flies:

The common house flies are They devour the juicy areas of portions of the body. Destruction by adult flies is observed better when the body is found on surface ground.

b. Reptiles:

Lizards and snakes are attracted to dead bodies and eat the soft tissues. Small bones may be fractured in the process and may be mistaken for injuries during the life time of the de-ceased.

Rodents:

Rats and mice will nibble the skin and other tissues and may show injuries. The bones may also be attacked and showed certain degree of erosions.

d. Other Mammals:

The dogs may participate in the destruction of the soft tissues especially in cases where the victim is lying on the ground. In most instances, the different parts of the body is scattered and separated from one another. A part may be missing or seen in some far distant places. In India, jackals also participate in the destruction of decomposed tissues.

e. Fishes and

If the body is in water, fish of almost all species and crus-tacean will be feeding on the soft tissues. Man-eating fishes like sharks may devour the whole body of a person.

As a general rule, molds do not destroy the dead bodies but their growth cause disfigurement and minor superficial lesions on the skin.

After a period of time, all of the soft tissues of the body will disappear. Only the teeth, bones and hair will remain. These tissues will remain for an indefinite The bones may show signs of disintegration by the diminution of

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weight and erosion of the epiphysis. Flat bones disintegrate faster than round bones. The degree of ossification is also a factor in the bone destruction.

Death in the sea with post-mortem erosion of the face due to the activities of the fishes and other aquatic animals.

SPECIAL MODIFICATION OF PUTREFACTION:

a. Mummification:

Mummification is the dehydration of the whole body which results in the shivering and preservation of the body. It usually occurs when a dead body is buried in a hot, and arid place with dry atmosphere and with free access of hot air. In most cases, the natural physical appearance is not modified, hair may be kept intact although there may be change in color of the skin.

The internal organs may be shrunken, hard and with a dark-brown or black color. If the whole fluid contents of the body has evaporated, preservation is for an indefinite time but the whole body may become brittle, weight markedly reduced

In document Legal Medicine by Pedro Solis (Page 136-154)