#and algor mortis is when the body grows cold (starts ~30 minutes after death and can continue for the first 48 hours)

[askthe-littlepoet]

I think imoras coming to get you

"...is she, now?"

"...you can't die twice, right?"

[sophisticatedscientist]

So, what's your body count?

The body farm at the University of Tennessee has housed more than 1800 corpses and 1700 skeletons. These bodies have been donated for the advancement of decomposition science. The bodies are exposed to several different scenarios and left to do their thing- you know rot and such. Some of the conditions replicate what would happen if a body were; locked in a trunk, submerged under water, hidden under leaf litter, run over by a lawn mower (yes this was a real study), encased in concrete, and frozen, the possibilities are endless. Studying these scenarios help researchers, coroners and crime scene investigators understand how long it takes for a body will decompose in various situations. I hope that this post will give you some insight into the stages of body decomposition and the various types of insects that help with process along the way.

The first stage of decomposition occurs shortly after death and is known as Pallor mortis. Once the heart is no longer beating, the body’s cells can no longer maintain homeostasis. This causes the skin to go pale and the body limp. Next is the onset or Algor Mortis, the corpse begins to cool down and now has a real Edward Cullen vibe and is cold to the touch. Between 20-30 minutes after death, Livor Mortis sets in, and the blood will pool into the interstitial tissues the body. Causing putrefaction of internal organs, skin staining and purple patches of skin that look like giant bruises. At this point moving a corpse can be very tricky, as the release of hydrolytic enzymes cause a loosening of the epidermis and dermis which can result in the skin slipping all over the place. In the instance where fingerprints are needed the technician wears the skin on their hands to take fingerprints. Buffalo Bill from Silence of the lambs would be proud.

During the second stage the corpse becomes a feeding ground for bacteria. Green bottle flies, flesh flies, and house flies swarm body cavities, entering the corpse, and laying their eggs. Within the first 24 hours those eggs hatch into cute little maggots that eat their way deeper into the corpse. Have you ever heard of the myth that hair and fingernails continue to grow after death? Well, in a sense they do! When your body shrinks and muscles stiffen, known as rigor mortis. They push on hair follicles and nails, which makes it look like they have grown longer.

Within a few days the feeding frenzy of fly’s and maggots leads to bloat. Maggots move as one mass over the corpse, spreading bacteria which releases gases like hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane. These gases cause the corpse to swell up to twice the original size! This gas also acts as an attractant to other insects, it lets them know that the party is in full swing! With the increase of juicy fly larvae, the predatory beetles such as rove beetles, carrion beetles, hister beetles and the Devils Coach- horse beetle make their way onto the corpse, devouring maggots and laying eggs inside of the corpse. Unfortunately for the maggots there is one more party guest, the Parasitoid wasp. They are known to implant their eggs inside the maggots, who then get eaten alive from within. At this point the corpse has become both a banquet and a slaughterhouse.

After three days of decomposition, the corpse moves onto the third stage, Purge. The build- up of gases put a lot of pressure on your skin and muscle tissue. This bloating can cause the corpse to “pop”, these ruptures release gases and the liquefied internal organs start to seep out through the eyes, nose, mouth, and any other large orifice. This purge is very rich in nitrogen, so rich that the plants will all die off but in about a year the soil will be rich and ready to sustain life. At almost every stage of decomposition, the corpse has provided nutrients and a home for many insects. However, it’s not just insects that love eating a corpse, several species of fungi enjoy the chemical by-products of decaying flash as well. The two main groups are ammonia fungi, these guys feed on urine and feces, and post-putrefactive fungi that grow and feed on the corpse.

Within six months to a year, given the right conditions comes the final dry stage. The soft tissue has been consumed by animals, insects, of fungi. Leaving the corpse as nothing but a pile of cartilage, bones, and loose hanging scraps of skin.Human decomposition is a complex process with many different factors that can change the rate of decomposition. The work done at the body farm, highlights this and has allowed law enforcement and investigators to uncover some of the mysteries of death. Every stage of decomposition holds secrets and clues that provide new insights for forensic investigators.