Stages of Decomposition Images from http://www.deathonline.net/decomposition/index.htm Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. Ippolito September, 2005

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

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

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

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

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

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