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Taphonomy, Trauma and Skeletal Biomechanics > Decomposition > Flashcards

Decomposition Flashcards

1
Q

What is decomposition?

A

A process that begins at death, involving loss of soft tissue and skeletonisation

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2
Q

What are the 6 stages of decomposition?

A
  1. Fresh
  2. Initial decay - bloating
  3. Putrefaction
  4. Black putrefaction
  5. Buytric fermentation
  6. Dry decay
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3
Q

List these organs in the order they decompose:
1. kidneys
2. stomach
3. lungs
4. blood

A
  1. Intestines, STOMACH, digestion organs, heart & BLOOD
  2. Air passages & LUNGS
  3. KIDNEYS & bladder
  4. Brain & nervous tissue
  5. Skeletal muscle
  6. Connective tissue & integument
  7. Bones
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4
Q

What is autolysis and what causes it?

A

Cellular self-destruction, caused by lack of oxygen

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5
Q

Describe what happens in autolysis.

A
  1. Hydrolytic enzymes release into cytoplasm
  2. Digest proteins and carbs
  3. Carbon dioxide decreases pH of cell cytoplasm
  4. Nutrient-rich fluid released into interstitial space
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6
Q

What factor influences autolysis?

A

Temperature

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7
Q

How does autolysis allow putrefaction to start?

A

By creating an anaerobic environment due to carbohydrate release

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8
Q

In putrefaction, what is soft tissue broken down into? By what?

A
  1. gases, liquids and salts
  2. Anaerobic bacterial activity
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9
Q

What is the result of diagenesis?

A

Loss of organic components
Dissolution of mineral compounds

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10
Q

What does bacteria continue to do after decomposition slows after skeletonisation?

A

Remove collagen from bone

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11
Q

At what point does bone diagenesis stop?

A

When chemical equilibrium is met between soil/water and the bone

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12
Q

What factors affect the rate of diagenesis cessation?

A

Environment
Time

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13
Q

List the signs of putrefaction.

A
  1. Discolouration
  2. Dissolution
  3. Distension
  4. Degradation
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14
Q

List biotic factors of decomposition.

A
  1. Animal scavenging
  2. Insect activity
  3. Human interaction/intervention
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15
Q

What areas of a body are insects most drawn to?

A

Orifices and eyes

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16
Q

What is the impact on decomposition when the number of larvae present increase?

A

Rate of decomposition increases

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17
Q

How does animal scavenging both increase and decrease decomposition rate?

A

Increase: Feed on remains
Decrease: Feed on insects

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18
Q

What is the main characteristic of rodent gnawing on bone?

A

Parallel sets of striations

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19
Q

What areas are targeted by rodents?

A

Distal extremities and soft areas of the face

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20
Q

What is the typical order of body areas scavenged?

A
  1. Face and neck
  2. Thorax (heart and lungs)
  3. Upper extremities
  4. Lower extremities
  5. Trunk
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21
Q

What are the abiotic components associated with climate?

A
  • Heat
  • Cold
  • Wind
22
Q

What are the abiotic components associated with habitat?

A
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Sand
23
Q

As temperature decreases, what would you expect to happen to decomposition?

A

Decreased reaction rate so decreased decomposition rate

24
Q

What can affect the temperature of human remains?

A
  1. Larval mass
  2. Clothing
  3. Wrappings
  4. Time since death
25
What would you expect in both low and high temperatures when the humidity is high?
Low: Slowing of decomposition High: Rapid increase in decomposition
26
What would you expect in both low and high temperatures when the humidity is low?
Low: Arrest ( freeze drying) High: Arrest (dehydration/mummification)
27
How does rainfall or a body of water slow decomposition?
Production of adipocere
28
Other than slowing decompostion, how else does rainfall impact remains?
Acts as a means of transport or depostion
29
What factors can move remains or change their position?
Snow Water Gravity
30
List the ground substrates in order of most draining to least: Clay soil Sandy soil Organic soil Sand Clay
1. Sand 2. Sandy soil 3. Organic soil 4.Clay soil 5. Clay
31
Name the mortices in order of when they happen.
1. Livor mortis 2. Algor mortis 3. Rigor mortis
32
Briefly describe what happens in livor mortis.
Settling of blood cells due to gravity, causing coagulation of blood
33
How can livor mortis be used in a forensic investigation?
Blood fixing can indicate positioning as well as objects around remains
34
Briefly describe what happens in algor mortis.
Change in temperature to match the temperature of the environment
35
True or False: The body cools by about 1 degree Celsius per hour for the first 24 hours.
False, 1 degree Celsius per hour for the first 12 hours
36
What impacts the rate of algor mortis?
Temperature gradient between environment and body
37
Briefly describe what happens in rigor mortis.
Gradual stiffening of muscles
38
Why does rigor mortis happen?
Muscle contractions caused by a build up of ATP
39
What is marbling?
Progressive discolouration of the body with dark tracks
40
What causes marbling?
Progress of sulfhaemoglobin through the vascular system
41
Where is marbling typically first observed and what does it usually accompany?
1. Upper right quadrant of abdominal region (by gallbladder) 2. Start of abdominal bloating
42
What is skin blistering a result of?
Separation of outer layers of epidermis from underlying skin layers
43
What is the name of the process of blistered skin sloughing off?
Degloving
44
What causes bloating of cavities?
Production of decompositional gases
45
Name 2 examples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
1. Putrescine 2. Cadaverine
46
What is saponification?
Process of adipocere formation from body fat hydrolysis
47
True or False: Saponification forms an anaerobic environment on the soft tissue of remains.
True
48
When is saponification observed?
In remains that are exposed to bodies of water after a period of time
49
How does mummification reduce/arrest decomposition rate?
Removes water access for bacteria
50
How does freezing reduce/arrest decomposition rate?
Dries tissue, resulting in tissue preservation

Taphonomy, Trauma and Skeletal Biomechanics (4 decks)

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