Putrefaction

1. Presented by: Nishita ; roll no 81
PUTREFACTION

2.  Disintegration of body tissues after death due to
bacterial, fungal, and enzymatic activity.
 Synonym: Decomposition
 Sequence: Follows rigor mortis (may start before
complete disappearance in hot weather)
Definition & Overview

3.  Entry of organisms: From alimentary canal,
respiratory tract, or wounds
 Timeline: Bacterial multiplication begins in 4 hrs,
peaks at 24–30 hrs
 Key bacteria: Clostridium welchii – produces
lecithinase causing haemolysis & tissue
breakdown
Mechanism

4.  1. Colour changes
 2. Gas formation
 3. Liquefaction of tissues
 Changes occur both externally and internally
Main Features

5.  First sign: Greenish discolouration over
caecum (12–18 hrs summer; 1–2 days
winter)
 Spread: Abdomen genitals chest
→ → →
face limbs
→
 Progression: Green dark-green
→ →
purple/dark-blue
 Marbling: Veins stained
green-brown/purple-red in branching
pattern (24–48 hrs)
Colour Changes

6.  Gases: Ammonia, CO, CO₂, H₂S, methane, mercaptans
 Effects:
- Abdominal distension (12–18 hrs summer; 1–2 days
winter)
- Blisters, crepitation, bloating of face/genitals
- Postmortem purge from mouth/nose
- Relaxed sphincters escape of urine/faeces
→
Gas Formation

7.  Starts 5–10 days after death
 Abdomen bursts;
stomach/intestines
protrude
 Fat liquefies into yellow
fluid
 Organs become soft, black,
semi-fluid mass
 Skin slippage; glove &
stocking effect on
hands/feet
Liquefaction of Tissues

8. 9. Bones
8. Skin, muscle, tendon
7. Prostate, uterus
6. Kidneys, bladder
5. Heart
4. Brain
3. Liver, lungs
2. Stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen
1. Larynx & trachea
Sequence of Organ Putrefaction

9.  External: Temperature, moisture, air, clothing,
burial manner
 Internal: Age, sex, body condition, cause of
death, mutilation
 Rapid: Septicaemia, asphyxia, obesity
 Delayed: Anaemia, certain poisonings (carbolic
acid, heavy metals)
Factors Affecting Rate

10.  Casper’s dictum:
Air:Water:Earth = 1:2:8
 Slower in water; faster in
warm, fresh, stagnant water
 Epidermis of hands/feet
peels in 2–4 days
('washerwoman’s skin')
Putrefaction in Water

11.  Influenced by climate, insect activity, scavengers
 Hot humid environment: days with insect
activity
 Buried body in India: ~1 year without coffin
 Acidic soils may destroy bones in decades
Skeletonisation

12.  Estimation of postmortem interval
 Helps in identification (early stages)
 May indicate cause/manner of death
 Affects recovery of forensic evidence
Medicolegal Importance

13.  Reddy KSN, Murty OP. Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 34th
ed.
New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2017. p. 164-171.
 Science Photo Library. Human decomposition, bloating stage [Internet]. Science
Photo Library; c2025 [cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from:
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/10902/view
 Petrecca K. Putrefaction and human decomposition [Internet]. Medscape; 2024
[cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from:
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1680032-overview
 Prokop A, Wojas-Pelc A, Mizia E, Kulig W. Stages of human decomposition and
estimation of the postmortem interval in buried bodies. Int J Legal Med
[Internet]. 2016;130(2):483-92. Available from:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00414-016-1385-5
 Fermi P, Bedino L, Autiero S, Di Vella G, Caruso M, Cattaneo C. Post-mortem
changes and the estimation of the post-mortem interval: Current status and
future prospects. Med Sci Law [Internet]. 2024 Jul;64(3):178-86. Available from:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00258024241275894
 Crime Scene Cleanup. Skeletonization in decomposition [Internet]. Crime Scene
Cleanup; c2025 [cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from:
https://www.crimescenecleanup.com/skeletonization/
References