decomposition

decaying cause by bacteria or fungal action, reducing the body of a living organism to simpler forms of matter.

Taphos= burial, Nomos= law

the study of the processes that affect decomposition, dispersion, erosion, burial and re-exposure of organisms.

differential plant growth can be visible for years- from the air can be used to search for clandestine graves

wormwood in the Balkans

study of the fate of human remains, can help understand and reconstruct the events surrounding a death

fresh bloat active decay advanced decay skeletonization

decomposer community physiochemical environment

enzymatic and chemical reactions transforming complex compound into simple molecules

physical and mechanical breakdown of matter, bacteria

COD, helps to eliminate suspects and reconstruct sequence of events

measuring the change produced by a process which takes place at a known rate which was initiated or stopped by the death

comparing the occurrence of events which took place at known times with the occurrence of the death

anatomical and physical changes

eye, muscle and tissue changes

skin pales- pallor mortis blood gradually becomes acidic changes to body temp after 15 mins

it is self digestion or cell death and is the primary driver of decomposition

newton’s law of cooling- the cooling of the body after death. approx 0.78 degrees C

best way is rectally or through the liver- more accurate in first 24 hrs

diagram representing the relationship between 3 or more variables- in this case temp. he created 2 one for ambient temp up to 23 degrees and one for temps above

• no strong radiation • no strong fever or general hypothermia • place of death has to be the same as the crime scene

clothing (acts as insulation) body size (SA:V ratio) disease/ drugs (infections) immersion in water (accelerates progression)

rectal/liver temp is invasive many exceptions of nomogram usage when ambient temp is above 37 degrees C

Livor mortis- hypostasis/ lividity