Decomposition

Decomposition is the reduction of bodies and other formerly living organisms into simpler forms of matter and, most particularly, to the fate of the human body after death. The science which studies decomposition generally is called taphonomy.

Related Topics:
Organism - Body - Death - Taphonomy

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A body will begin to decompose shortly after death. Decomposition can be simplified in two stages: In the first stage, human decomposition is limited to the production of vapors. In the second stage of human decomposition, fluidic materials form and the flesh begins to decompose.

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Historically, the progression of human decomposition has been described as taking place in four stages: fresh (autolysis), bloat (putrefaction), decay (putrefaction and carnivores) and dry (diagenesis).

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Warning: Some of the images in this article are extremely graphic. Please be cautioned

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