Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review

Teo, Chee Hau; Hamzah, Noor Hazfalinda; Hing, Hiang Lian; Hamzah, Sri Pawita Albakri Amir

doi:10.17576/jsm-2014-4312-08

Cited by 53 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(187 reference statements)

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“…The reformed data from day 1 to day 6 is reliable as there were no defects on these readings for 6 consecutive days. Figure 5 shows a positive association between the TBS and the average ambient temperatures from day 1 to day 6, as suggested by previous researchers (Srnka 2003;Teo et al 2014) Moreover, these temperatures are relevant due to the fact that Malaysia is a tropical country where the annual mean temperature is 28°C and will only increase by 0.95°C in every 32 years (Chee-Loong et al 2018). INSECT ACTIVITY Throughout the 10-day observation period, it is found that the presence of ants in a mid-large or large sum could slow down the post-mortem decomposition of a carcass.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…The negative correlation coefficient expresses that with an increase in the ambient temperature, there is a decrease in the TBS. The post-mortem decomposition of a carcass or a cadaver speeds up with an increase in ambient temperature (Teo et al 2014). During the current study, the thermocouple malfunctioned on days 0, 7, 8 and 9.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Skeletonisation and extreme decay occur simultaneously where decomposition will no longer take place and insect activities are slowed down. At this point in the process, bones are more visible to the naked eye (Teo et al 2014) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Out of the many types of taphonomy, longitudinal taphonomy research primarily observed the full decomposition of a carcass or a cadaver (Simmons et al 2010). Post-mortem decomposition is a significant process whereby an examination on a cadaver is done to investigate the cause of death through the inspection and evaluation of its physical and chemical changes (Teo et al 2014). Consequently, the decomposing remains possess an important role in balancing the ecosystem by providing shelter, food source and nutritious resources to arthropods (Voss et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Layered Clothing on the Post-mortem Decomposition of Rat Carcasses on Grass Bushes and Dead Leaves

Hamzah

MANIMARAN²,

Osman

et al. 2022

JSKM

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A post-mortem decomposition is defined by the evaluation of the physical and chemical changes of a cadaver or a carcass in order to estimate the cause of death and the time of death. The purpose of this study is not to replicate a real crime scene but to enhance knowledge of the effects of clothing in a decomposition process, mainly, the effects of layered cotton clothing on the post-mortem decomposition of adult female rat carcasses. Fifteen rats were divided into three groups: control, one-layered and two-layered clothed. The control subjects were unclothed and used to compare the post-mortem changes with the clothed subjects, one-layered and two-layered rat carcasses. All subjects were placed outdoor, 2.5 meters away from each other on grass bushes and dead leaves. Ambient temperature and humidity were recorded to observe if it associates with the post-mortem changes of the rats. Insect activity on each subject was observed. Post-mortem changes were measured using the Total Body Score system. The results showed that the control group underwent a faster decomposition compared to the clothed groups. The different layers of clothing did not show a vast difference in post-mortem changes. The ambient temperature of 28°C influences the post-mortem decomposition. The decomposition was rapid under the dominance of maggots compared to ants as ant colonies delayed the decomposition process. The study gave the knowledge of the effect of clothing in decomposition of female rats in forensic science.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Layered Clothing on the Post-mortem Decomposition of Rat Carcasses on Grass Bushes and Dead Leaves

Hamzah

MANIMARAN²,

Osman

et al. 2022

JSKM

Self Cite

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“…Although these are a convenient means for decomposition stage assessment, they are not always discernible as their supposedly distinctive characteristics usually blend with one another (Pinheiro, 2006;Knobel et al, 2018). Also, decomposition rates vary significantly depending on parameters related to: (i) the environment, such as location, atmospheric conditions and presence of clothing (Voss et al, 2011); (ii) exposure to exogenous organisms such as microbes, insects, plants (Iyengar and Hadi, 2014) and scavenging animals (Behrensmeyer, 1978); (iii) funeral care including embalming, wrapping, type of burial and coffin (Pinheiro, 2006;Tumer et al, 2013;Hau et al, 2014;Lauber et al, 2014); and (iv) cadaver physical condition which includes the circumstances of death, medical treatment, and antemortem and perimortem physical conditions of the deceased (Sutherland et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Combined Application of Molecular Microbial Ecology and Elemental Analyses Can Advance the Understanding of Decomposition Dynamics

et al. 2021

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Introducing animal carbon-source to soil initiates biochemical and microbial processes that lead to its decomposition and recycling, which subsequently cause successional shifts in soil microbial community. To investigate the use of soil microbial community to inform criminal investigation, this study was designed to mimic clandestine graves. It compared the decomposition of stillborn piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus), as human analogues, to oak (Quercus robur) leaf litter and soil-only controls outdoors for 720 days. Environmental and edaphic parameters were monitored and showed soil microbial community alignment with temperature seasonality, which highlighted the importance of this abiotic factor. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) data were used to calculate Hill numbers and diversity indices of the bacterial 16S rRNA community did not distinguish mammalian- from plant-based decomposition consistently during the first or second year of the study. In contrast, the fungal 18S rRNA community allowed clear differentiation between different treatments (beta diversity) throughout the 720-day experiment and suggested the moment of the decomposing mammalian skin rupture. 16S rRNA-based NGS facilitated the identification of e.g., Pirellulaceae, Acidobacteria ii1-15_order and Candidatus xiphinematobacter as Year 2 bacterial markers of gravesoil at family, order and species taxonomic levels, respectively, and confirmed the similarity of the calculated Hill diversity metrics with those derived from DGGE profiling. Parallel soil elemental composition was measured by portable X-ray Fluorescence where calcium profiles for the piglet-associated soils were distinct from those without carrion. Also, soil calcium content and PMI correlated positively during the first year then negatively during the second. This study is one of the first to apply a multidisciplinary approach based on molecular and physicochemical analytical techniques to assess decomposition. It highlights the recognised potential of using soil microbial community in forensic investigations and provides a proof-of-concept for the application of a combined molecular and elemental approach to further understand the dynamics of decomposition. In addition, it sets the scene for further research in different conditions based on Hill numbers metrics instead of the classic ecological indices for soil necrobiome richness, diversity and evenness.

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A review on the effects of heavy metals on the development of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Raise,

Gemmellaro

2023

WIREs Forensic Science

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Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, mercury, and others, are naturally occurring non degradable elements which can accumulate in the environment and in living organisms and can have a significant impact on their physiological functions. Studies have shown that heavy metals can also influence the development and morphology of insects. Insects are the most abundant organisms on earth and play a major role in different ecosystems. They help in the dispersion of organic matter and are an important part of different ecological processes. Forensic entomology focuses on the use of arthropods in legal investigations. Shortly after death, a corpse is quickly colonized by several insect families; blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the first colonizers and are therefore often used for the estimation of the time of colonization (TOC) or minimum post‐mortem interval (mPMI). Since larvae feed on the corpse, any xenobiotic present in the remains, including heavy metals, can be ingested, and accumulated by them; these substances can influence their development and, in turn, can alter the estimation of the mPMI. We analyzed the literature on studies pertaining to the detection of heavy metals in blow flies and on their variations in developmental rate, mass, length, fecundity, morphology, immune system, and mortality rate.This article is categorized under: Forensic Biology > Forensic Entomology Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

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Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review

Abstract: Decomposition is degradation process of a corpse into basic respective constituents macroscopically and microscopically

Cited by 53 publications

References 73 publications

Effects of Layered Clothing on the Post-mortem Decomposition of Rat Carcasses on Grass Bushes and Dead Leaves

Effects of Layered Clothing on the Post-mortem Decomposition of Rat Carcasses on Grass Bushes and Dead Leaves

A Combined Application of Molecular Microbial Ecology and Elemental Analyses Can Advance the Understanding of Decomposition Dynamics

A review on the effects of heavy metals on the development of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

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