Early Postmortem Changes and Stages of Decomposition

Abstract

When faced with the task of estimating a period of time since death, there are generally two known points existing for the worker: the time at which the body was discovered and the last time the individual was reliably known to be alive. The death occurred between these two points and the aim is to estimate when it most probably took place. This will be an estimate since, it is generally accepted that there is actually no scientific way to precisely determine the exact period of time since death. What is done in the case of entomology is an estimation of the period of insect activity on the body. This period of insect activity will reflect the minimum period of time since death or postmortem interval (PMI) but will not precisely determine the time of death. In most cases, the later point is more accurately known than the former. Individuals tend to recall when they first encountered the dead body with considerable precision. This is typically not in their normal daily routine and it makes an impression, even on those accustomed to dealing with the dead.

Once the body is discovered, those processing the scene make meticulous (at least we hope meticulous) notes including times of arrival, departure, movement of the body and, finally, when the body is placed into the morgue. By contrast, the time at which the individual was last reliably known to be alive is often less precise. This is possibly due to the fact that those having the last contact most probably did not anticipate that this would be their last encounter with the individual and nothing of significance took place at the time. In the absence of something unusual, one rarely notes the time one said “good morning” to a neighbor or passed an acquaintance on the street. The last time the individual was reliably known to be alive may involve statements concerning the last time the individual was seen alive. It may involve hearing the individual or a telephone communication. Some instances may involve the touch or smell of the individual. Obviously there is some latitude possible in this determination and the time frame is often incorrect. For this reason, the precision of the time of discovery and collection of specimens become of major significance, as they are the anchor for the estimates. Estimation begins when the insects are collected and preserved, stopping the biological clock.