5 Stages of Death

Stages of Death

Fresh Putrefaction Black Putrefaction Butyric Fermentation Dry Decay

Stage 1 - Fresh

Begins right after death Body begins to cool down (Algor

Mortis) Autolysis

› Release of enzymes within cells resulting in cellular break down

Stage 1 - Fresh

Breakdown of tissue results in attraction of insects

Typically occurs 0-3 days after death› Under normal conditions, when body is exposed to air

Stage 2 - Putrefaction

Body begins to bloat› Bacteria begins to break down the body

› Gases produced by bacteria resulting in a bloating body

› Bacteria are from the colon (large intestine)

Stage 2 - Putrefaction

Abdomen and face bloats the most

Due to bloating, skin becomes thin and delicate› Skin begins to break down and slough away (skin slippage)

Stage 2 - Putrefaction

Skin goes through series of color changes› From green to brown

Rise of insect activity during this stage

Putrefaction occurs between 4-10 days after death

Stage 3 – Black Putrefaction

Also known as “active decay” The body bloats enough to burst

› Gases inside the body are released

Internal organs are attacked by insects

Stage 3 – Black Putrefaction

Most of body mass lost mainly due to the activity of the maggots and other insects

Body’s organs will degenerate into soupy mess

Black Putrefaction occurs 10-20 days after death

Stage 4 – Butyric Fermentation

Also known as “advance decay” Wet stages of decomposition

ends› Corpse begins to dry out

The odor associated with bacterial activity begins to dissipate

Stage 4 – Butyric Fermentation

Body becomes dry, mummified husk

Insects begin to clear out – reduced number

Body forms wax layer known as adipocere

Occurs 20-50 days after death

Stage 5 – Dry Decay

“Skeletonization” Internal organs largely

disappeared All moisture gone Connective tissue rots away Bones fall into pile – scavengers

scatter bones

Stage 5 – Dry Decay

Occurs between 50 days and 1 year after death› Depends on climate

Cold conditions – can take up to 2 years

Dry and hot conditions – can take as little as 2 weeks

Rosalia Lombardo

Girl died in 1920 Casket opened in

1995 Body never

decomposed› Believed to have been embalmed