An autopsy case of complete adipocere formation

A practical review of adipocere: Key findings, case studies and operational considerations from crime scene to autopsy

“…Cases of complete transformation are rare, because several factors need to be in play together. An example is the case of a male discovered after 7 years at the bottom of a lake, trapped in a car 85 . The car was found relatively undamaged, and this may have created a restrictive micro-environment with low pH, that was maintained this way thanks to the limited or absent water flow at the bottom of the lake.…”

Adipocere Formation in Subtropical Climate of Northern India: A Retrospective Study

“…Adipocere is forensically important as it can help in determining identification, injury pattern, the cause of death, and time since death. However, time since death determination with adipocere is not as precise as with other postmortem changes . Adipocere formation is a modification of putrefaction, which occurs in a specific environment.…”

“…Adipocere formation is a modification of putrefaction, which occurs in a specific environment. Warm, anaerobic environment with moisture favors it, while cold, aerobic environment inhibits its formation . Apart from the environment, it also depends on personal characteristics.…”

“…In this process, the body fat breaks down into free unsaturated fatty acids by endogenous lipases, and then, hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids occurs in the presence of bacterial enzymes giving rise to saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and myristic acid. Free fatty acids then conjugated with metal ions such as Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ to form an insoluble soap .…”

“…In contrast, cold temperature, lime, and aerobic conditions can inhibit its formation. Moisture appears to represent an important factor in the formation of adipocere, the source can be from the environment or from the body itself . Fresh Adipocere is soft, moist, whitish, and translucent in appearance with rancid odor, while old adipocere is dry, hard, cracked, yellowish, and brittle .…”