Thread by @MRR_author

I’ve been asked to start my #CSISchoolForWriters up again #writingcommmunity
I’m glad you all have missed it. If you want to be tagged or Untagged let me know. I’m starting back up w/ a bang or a pop depending on temperature and going right for it...
On Human Decomposition: 1/

Tagging: @PaulaMHunter1 @authorkayn @dragonspleen @Mara_A_Miller @MBWorkhouse @AuthorPrime01 @ChuckRothman @Wrightdj21 @sharagodwinson @JerichoSWayne
Feel free to tag anyone you want to be in on this. I’ll try to do it a few times a week. Trigger earning here. Decomp= gross 2/

First off it really annoys me to read a book and have a murder victim showing parts of all 5 stages of decomposition. Seriously annoying. I will throw the book across the room.
By that you probably guessed that there are 5 Stages of Human Decomposition. I will explain each. 3/

Decomposition begins the moment death occurs. The MOMENT. I can’t stress this hard enough. Most victims in your books will take a forensic pathologist, coroner or a medical examiner to identify COD (cause of death). It’s a small percentage that need someone like me to examine 4/

them. However I have worked on remains in all stages of decomposition. It just depends on if the flesh and organs are able to be examined or not.
Each stage of decomp can vary on length of time depending on temperature and humidity. Basically the warmer and wetter it is the 5/

faster decomp occurs.
Without further ado...
Fresh Stage 1-2 days PMI (Postmortem Interval)
This stage hosts all those cool words they like to use in crime dramas. lol
The early indicators of PMI all happen here. First is algor mortis, body temperature reduction (won’t happen 6/

if the ambient temp is above body temp). Then rigor mortis, stiffening and softening of the muscles (3-12 hours PMI lasting up to a few days). Then livor mortis, settling of the blood and fluids due to gravity causing a discoloring of the tissues (1/2-12 hours PMI).
You will 7/

also witness the flesh become pale and waxy and the rapid decomposition of the vitreous fluid of the eyes (cloudy, pearly appearance). Smells associated with this stage are mild. Blood, vomit, urine, feces. Fresh remains don’t stink much.
Bloat: (2-6 days PMI)
Fairly 8/

self explanatory. It’s the stage in which the interior bacteria and chemical changes begin to digest the remains. It’s the first visible signs of decomposition notable by swelling of the abdomen and extremities. Fluid leakage from the orifices. Discoloration of the skin 9/

(marbled appearance, green brown and blue tinge). The skin is usually intact at this point. Moving the remains will cause bursting. Insect larvae will be present in very limited numbers. Smells begin to be noticeable. The best description is rotting lunch meat and flatulance. 10/

Remember bloat is called bloat because of gas build up. It’s not pretty.
Active Decay: (5-11 days PMI)
This is the stage most people think of when thinking about human decomp. The pressure of the gassed have caused the skin to split and fluids are leaking. The skin is intact 11/

mostly but separating from the subQ tissues. Skin can literally be peeled off at this point. Yes I’ve had to do that.
Insects are present in large numbers in all enstars. Trust me there’s a lot more than maggots. Animal predation will be high and more than just bugs. Eyes will12/

have decomposed and organs will be in the process starting with the gut and extending to the heavily muscled organs (heart, uterus). This is the smelliest stage. Cadaverine, sulfur, putrescine and other chemicals make that putrid rotting flesh smell. It’s a sweeter rot scent 13/

than most animals. Not kidding. Rot mixed with a tiny amount of honey
Advanced Decay or Post Decay: (10-24 days PMI)
Most of the flesh is gone but a strong cheese smell remains. The remaining skin is beginning to dry. There can still be a lot of skin at this point. Most of the14/

organs are gone and the remains now look skeletal. Most animal predation is done. But if there’s a nearby dog pack they will begin playing with the remains. The plants around the remains will be dead due to toxic amounts of chemicals. The fats of the body will have seeped 15/

into the soil creating a layer of Adipocere (grave wax).
Dry / Skeletal Stage (24+ days PMI)
The final stage. Only a skeleton with minimal dried tissues and skin remains. Animal predation and insect activity are light. There are almost no smells. Best description is musty 16/

compost. This stage can last years depending on weather conditions.
And with that you have the science of Human Decomposition. I hope it was educational #WritingCommnunity. Feel free to ask questions. Have fun plotting your fictional murders #FellowWriters until next time. /Fin