14 Factors Affecting Decomposition Of A Body
Do you know what human decomposition is and what factors affect the decomposition of a body? The topic of human decomposition is a little harsh but educational and fascinating for many people. Whatever the reason, many people want to know about the decomposition process and the factors affecting decomposition of a body. For those people, we discuss 14 factors that directly or indirectly affect decomposition rates.
What is Human Decomposition?
It is a natural process of human organic tissue breakdown immediately after the body becomes dead. The human decay process is unavoidable, but some factors slow down or expedite the rate of the decay process; these factors may be natural or unnatural. We will cover all the common factors affecting decomposition of a body and what you should do right after seeing an unattended dead body, like Natural Death Cleanup.
Our Source of Knowledge About Human Decomposition
Although grim but fascinating, human decomposition is a natural process, and what's good and bad it hides is essential to know for the development of many fields. People are always curious about knowing what happens to souls after a person dies; similarly, how decomposition occurs and what factors affect the decomposition of a body are also curious subjects to humans.
Various forensic scientists study this topic generically and all aspects of human decomposition. Body Farms are research facilities where researchers study the decomposition process of humans and other animals. These body farms have donated cadavers whose bodies are observed and studied to know more hidden things about human decomposition. The University of Tennessee's body farm has researchers who have studied 650 donated human bodies. This is considered a big study as it has given much knowledge about human decomposition.
Body farms are in various parts of the world, and thanks to their researchers, we get all the information regarding human decomposition, from rates and stages to all conditions that speed up or slow down the process.
Factors Affecting the Decomposition Process
There are many factors that affect the decomposition process; the most important are discussed below:
Climate
The climate of the area where the deceased body is present affects the human decomposition rate most significantly. The human body decomposes faster in warmer climates, where the temperature is higher, and the process slows down in cold weather.
A dry, hot climate requires just a few weeks to reduce a body to bones, while a cool environment needs months for it.
The decomposition process occurs in four main categories that include:
Bloat
Autolysis
Active decay
Skeletonization
All these categories involve different bacteria, microorganisms, and even insects that reproduce faster in warm weather. However, under the right conditions, aridity and humidity also slow down the decay process of the human body. High temperature is the major factor for decomposition, which is why funeral homes and morgues are colder so that the bodies should decompose slowly.
Local climate affects the decomposition of a dead body, according to a Study in Arizona: Summer temperature, approx. 38 degrees C (100 degrees F) creates rapid bloating due to the accumulation of decompositional gases. But in specific circumstances, aridity causes huge mummification. Thus, it helps in preserving the bodies for hundreds of years. These human remains become fresh for a considerable time in the cold. But once the summer arrives, the decomposition becomes rapid again.
Shelter
Another significant factor that plays a crucial role in human decomposition is location, whether the body is present outdoors or indoors. Some factors that contribute to decomposition by keeping in mind the location are as follows:
Bacteria:
Certain bacteria, with the availability of moisture and organic matter in indoor climates, can thrive easily. These microorganisms and bacteria not only start decomposition but also initiate putrefaction, which means producing foul, unpleasant odors. With the help of this odor, undiscovered indoor corpses are easier to discover than the ones lying outside and exposed to outer elements.
Animals & Insects:
Insects and some animals like flies, vultures, maggots, and other carnivorous (predatory) animals accelerate the decomposition process. These animals and insects speed up the decay process, and skeletonization comes faster as they remove the bulk of body mass and make body decomposition quick.
According to a body farm in Texas, bodies left unburied have drastically different results; you can see feathers and frayed bones. These frayed bones are big evidence of the vultures' presence. The camera fixed there shows that these vultures arrived within a minute after they dropped the body. They arrive in hordes and surround the body, picking and cleaning it within a few hours. Remember, in that situation, Decomposition Cleanup is an important thing to keep the environment clean.
Burial/Submersion
When a dead body is buried in dirt or liquids, the decomposition process is automatically slowed down. These dead bodies are partially buried, thus lowering flies and other bacteria's access to dead bodies and slowing down the process. Remember, they are largely responsible for the faster decay process. However, moisture in the soil and temperature are the major factors to speed up the decomposition process.
On the other hand, submersion in the water slows down the decomposition if there is no wildlife nearby. The process is slower because of low temperatures underwater, which automatically slows down bacterial growth.
The decomposition period of human remains in the aquatic environment is difficult to determine because there are many factors that contribute to decay time. These factors are as follows:
● ecosystem
● water depth
● water acidity
● currents
● temperature
Oxygen Availability
The availability of oxygen speeds up the decomposition process. The process of decomposition with oxygen is known as aerobic decomposition. Decomposition occurs without oxygen, which is known as anaerobic decomposition. Aerobic decomposition is typically faster than anaerobic decomposition. For example, a body placed in a coffin that is sealed decomposes more slowly than a body decomposes in aerobic conditions, but in both conditions, the decay also depends on associated factors.
Embalming
It is a common misconception that embalming stops the decomposition process, but it is not true. The Embalming process only slows down the decomposition process to give time for viewing and funerals. So, to save from decomposition for a long time, these bodies are subject to a special embalming process, and professionals constantly keep an eye on them to avoid decomposition.
Cause of Death
One of the major factors that affect decomposition is the cause of death. Death by accident or a violent one breaks the skin and faster the decay process. Death by disease also paces up the decomposition process.
Scavengers
Animals and insects have a great impact on the process of decomposition. If a human body has access to any insect or animal, it speeds up the decay process.
Trauma:
Dead bodies that suffered trauma before death decompose faster. Damages to the surface of the body and skin tears and ruptures speed up the decomposition process.
Humidity:
Humidity in the environment speeds up the human body's decomposition process. The initial four stages of decomposition speed up due to humidity, and in the last stage (skeletonization), a humid environment slows down the process. For the last stage, hotter and drier conditions are needed.
Rainfall
Rainfall is responsible for speeding up the initial four decomposition stages while it slows down the last stage of decomposition, known as skeletonization.
Body Size and Weight
Recent National Institute Of Health research suggests that body size and weight also matter in overall decomposition. According to studies, larger and heavier bodies decompose more slowly than smaller and lighter ones.
Clothing:
Clothing also affects the rate of decomposition as it protects the body from certain elements that increase the decomposition rate.
Surface on Which Body Rests
There are different surfaces on which the human body might rest after death. If the body is placed directly on the soil (Organic matter), it will decompose faster than a hardwood casket or metal.
Food in the Digestive Tract
One factor that affects the overall body decomposition rate is the food in the digestive tract. If the dead body's digestive system has more substantial food and protein-rich items like eggs or meat, it will slow down the decomposition process.
What To Do If You See An Unattended Dead Body?
Whether it's your loved one or just a stranger's dead body left unattended, if you have seen it, you should do something about it. Just remember that unattended bodies are not safe, not for themselves, not for the surrounding society. In case of murders, you have to call the police, and after the police and forensic work are done, call the Homicide Cleanup company for proper cleaning of the spot.
Moreover, in case of suicides, people have to face bodily fluids, which are dangerous and often spread diseases among other people. Simple cleaning isn't effective in such cases, as the small spills of blood need proper treatment, and a little mistake can enhance the problem to a bigger extent; that's why it also demands a proper Suicide Cleanup.
Even in natural death also, sometimes people need professionals, just like in the case where the death of a hoarder occurs inside a house full of hoarded stuff. In such cases, hoarding cleanup companies like 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaner will be your savior.
We have served the community passionately and professionally for the past 15 years. Although the dead body and blood cleanup come with many health hazards, we, with our team of professionals, do the duty with proper OSHA-approved equipment and protective gear to avoid hazardous exposure.
911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners carefully manage everything as we know the importance of your health and emotions. We deeply clean the areas with no traces of biohazardous materials or pathogens on the surface. We are available all the time whenever you need our services without any judgment and with complete privacy protection.