Decay is a natural process in the body that begins when the heart stops pumping blood. Cells do not receive oxygen, and consequently, they die. The neurons do it in between three and seven minutes, while the skin can last up to 24 hours “alive”. The environmental conditions in which the corpse is found have a direct influence on the time it takes for the body to decompose. For example, if it is exposed to air, the speed at which it does so is twice as fast as if it is submerged in water.
Phases of decomposition of the corpse
Cool
After death, the first sign of putrefaction that appears in the human body is a green spot located on the abdomen, specifically in the right iliac fossa. As time passes, it spreads throughout the body and takes on a blackish coloration . This process begins 24 hours after death and can take several days.
Swollen
Also known as the edema phase, it occurs as a result of microbes that produce gases, which causes the deformation of different parts of the body. The stage lasts between 10 and 15 days .
Putrefaction
Its duration between 8 and 10 months and begins in the soft tissues. The gases gradually escape, so that the body reduces its volume and ends up becoming a liquid substance . The nails and hair are shed, and the viscera become a black mass.
Reduction
It is the last phase of all, in which the complete decomposition of the corpse occurs, until only the bones remain. Soft tissues disappear quickly, although ligaments, fibrous tissues, and cartilage may take longer to do so. Therefore, reduction to skeletal remains can last up to five years.
There is something that many people do not know about what happens after death to the skin: it contracts because it loses moisture, which makes nails and hair look longer. Also, the body can keep moving because the nervous system is alive for a time. It sends signals to the spinal cord, and this causes some corpses to jerk.
What is the last meaning that is lost in dying? The ear. The first is sight, followed by taste, smell, touch, and finally hearing.
Decomposition of a corpse: how long does it take to smell?
The decomposition process of a human body is highly variable since it depends on a wide range of factors, relative both to the body (cause of death, body complexion …) and to the conditions of the place (temperature, humidity …).
There are two processes involved in the decomposition process:
- Autolysis: this is the name for the destruction and fragmentation of cells and tissues by the release of molecules that are inside the cells and that, when they die, are left free.
- Putrefaction: consists of the degradation of tissues by both internal and external bacteria.
Half an hour after death, the skin acquires a waxy appearance and turns purple . Also, the fingernails and toenails turn pale because there is no blood circulation. Blood stagnates in certain areas of the body and the eyes gradually begin to sink into the skull.
At four o’clock rigor mortis begins and at twelve o’clock the body is already in a state of total rigor mortis. After 24 hours, the corpse acquires the temperature of the environment in which it is found.
The head and neck are already blue-green, and this tone begins to spread to the rest of the body. The person’s face is unrecognizable and the strong smell of rotten meat begins.
Fun facts about death
After knowing the process of decomposition of a corpse, we want to point out a series of curious facts about death that is of special interest to know.
Did you know that there are different types of death ? What is known as clinical death is what occurs when the heart stops beating and breathing stops. Brain death is one in which all the functions of the central nervous system are lost, although the heart and lungs continue to function. And finally, biological death, which encompasses the previous two.
There are those who point out that after dying nails and hair continue to grow , but it is a false myth. What actually happens is that the fabric begins to dry out and shrink. This process creates an optical illusion, making your hair and nails appear longer.
The last thing a person ate before dying remains in the intestines for up to 72 hours after death. Then the enzymes are responsible for devouring the remains.
