1. Stages of Decomposition
Images from
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

2. Stage 1- Living Organism
Intestines of living human contains:
Protozoans
Bacteria
Nematodes
With death these organisms begin to grow without the controls that kept their numbers limited during life.
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

3. Stage 2 – Initial Decay 0 to 3 days
Bacteria begin to digest intestines
Once out of intestine digest internal organs
Digestive enzymes released
Blowflies and house flies lay eggs around wounds and orifices
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

4. Stage 3 - Putrification 4 to 10 days
Anaerobic bacteria digest cells releasing fluids and gases
Hydrogen sulfide
Methane
Cadaverine
Putrisine
Gases inflate body and attract insects
Maggots move through body
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

5. Stage 4 – Black Putrification
10 to 20 days
Skin bursts body collapses
Flesh creamy, air exposed flesh blackens
Maggots leave body to pupate
Beetles and wasps increase
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

6. Stage 5 – Butyric Fermentation
20 to 50 days after death
Most of flesh gone
Cheesy odor due to butyric acid
Beetle larvae replace flies
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005

7. Stage 6 – Dry Decay 50 -365 days Dry body slow decay
Hair decays leaving only bones
Moths feed on hair
Updated Sept. 2005
Created by C. Ippolito
September, 2005