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Why do obese bodies decay faster? What is the magical effect of fat?
Decomposition is a natural process that involves the breakdown of animal and human body parts and complex molecules into simpler organic substances over time. In vertebrates, there are five generally recognized stages of decay: freshness, swelling, active decay, advanced decay, and desiccation/skeletalization. Understanding these different stages of decay is not only crucial for forensic investigations, but also helps us understand the effects of fat and body size on the rate of decay.
The rate of decomposition is affected by a variety of environmental factors, including air temperature, humidity, oxygen availability, and other factors such as body size, clothing, and cause of death.
Stages and characteristics of decay
Fresh stage
At this stage, the carcass is usually intact and free of insects. The progression of the corpse usually includes a decrease in body temperature (hypothermia), a temporary stiffening of the limbs (rigor mortis), and pooling of blood.
Expansion phase
The bloating phase begins when microorganisms in the digestive system begin to break down body tissues and release gases that cause bloating, along with the production of rancid chemicals such as putrescine and cadaverine. This stage is characterized by the transition from aerobic bacteria to anaerobic bacteria.
Active decay stage
During this stage, tissues begin to liquefy, the skin turns black, and maggots attack the decomposing body.
Advanced stage of decay
Most tissues were discolored and decay was almost complete. At this point, the body begins to release chemicals that affect the surrounding soil.
Drying/Skeletalization Stage
At this stage, the soft tissue of the corpse will completely collapse over time and gradually become skeletonized.
Influence of environmental factors
Temperature
The rate at which a body decomposes is affected by climate and temperature. At higher temperatures, physiological reactions accelerate, leading to faster decay.
HumidityThe rate of decay is accelerated in humid environments but slowed in dry environments.
Oxygen availability
The presence or absence of oxygen will greatly affect the rate of decay because certain necessary microorganisms are more active in higher oxygen levels.
Burial Depth
Even a few inches of soil can deter insects and slow the progression of rot.
Obesity and the speed of decay
It is worth noting that body size, especially the proportion of fat, will affect the rate of decay of the corpse. The body fat of an obese person will liquefy quickly after death, causing their body to enter the decay stage faster.
Obese body mass and more fat will break down quickly, causing this type of corpse to experience faster decay as the weight is lost.
The impact of clothing and causes of death
Clothing changes the exposure of the body, further affecting the rate of decomposition. At the same time, fatal wounds such as knife wounds will attract more insects, thereby accelerating the decay process.
Experimental Analysis
To gain deeper insight into the decomposition process, scientists conduct studies at body farms, specifically looking at how different environmental factors affect the stages of decomposition. These studies help us better understand the biological process of decay and its applications to forensic science.
Whether considering the body composition or external environmental factors, the phenomenon that obese corpses decay faster is worthy of further exploration and inspiration. Does this mean we should rethink how we assess the condition of the body and the time of death in forensic investigations?
