Early Changes
This is the self-digestion of cells and tissues by the body’s own enzymes after death.
What is autolysis?
This stage begins immediately after death but before visible decay.
What is the fresh stage?
Decomposition is faster in this type of climate: hot or cold?
What is hot?
These animals are usually the first to scavenge a body outdoors.
What are insects?
Determining the time since death is often referred to as estimating the ____.
What is postmortem interval (PMI)?
This greenish discoloration of the abdomen is an early sign of putrefaction.
What is marbling or green belly?
The stage when the body starts to bloat due to gas buildup.
What is the bloat stage?
A body in water typically decomposes ____ compared to one on land.
What is slower?
Scavenger marks on bones are often caused by these animals.
What are rodents or carnivores?
A body found in the mountains is mostly skeletonized after 2 months. What factor likely sped up decomposition?
Scavengers
The stiffening of muscles after death is called ____.
What is rigor mortis?
Fluids seep into the surrounding environment during this stage.
What is active decay?
True or False: Burial in dry sand slows down decomposition.
What is true?
Beetles that feed on dried tissue usually arrive in which stage?
What is advanced decay?
A corpse found with adipocere formation was likely in this environment.
What is moist?
Livor mortis is caused by the settling of ____.
What is blood?
This stage is characterized by mostly dry skin, cartilage, and bones.
What is advanced decay?
This insect group usually arrives first to colonize a corpse.
What are blowflies?
This term refers to modifications made to remains by animals.
What is bioturbation or scavenging?
Investigators found only bones with gnaw marks. What stage of decomposition is this?
What is skeletonization?
Which happens first: algor mortis, livor mortis, or rigor mortis?
What is algor mortis?
The final stage where only bones remain.
What is skeletonization?
Name one condition that can cause mummification instead of putrefaction.
What is a hot, dry environment?
Give one way to distinguish human tooth marks from animal gnaw marks.
Differences in pattern/shape/striations, etc
Why is forensic taphonomy important in crime scene investigation?
Helps estimate PMI, reconstruct events, and interpret environmental effects on remains.