Sains Malaysiana 43(12)(2014): 1873–1882

Decomposition Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review

(Proses Pereputan dan Perubahan Pasca Kematian: Ulasan)

TEO CHEE HAU, NOOR HAZFALINDA HAMZAH, HING HIANG LIAN & SRI PAWITA ALBAKRI AMIR HAMZAH*

School of Diagnostic & Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Received: 19 January 2014/Accepted: 25 April 2014

ABSTRACT

Decomposition is degradation process of a corpse into basic respective constituents macroscopically and microscopically by action of microorganisms, arthropods and scavengers. Post mortem changes could be separated into early post mortem changes (i.e. algor mortis, rigor mortis and livor mortis) and putrefaction stages of corpse. These changes function as suitable indicators for determination of post mortem interval (PMI). In this paper, different stages of post mortem changes, possible variations such as mummification and formation of adipocere and special circumstances such as burial condition is discussed. This article also refers to several arguments in the different texture of adipocere and the influence of different types of fabric in affecting the post mortem changes and formation of adipocere. This is largely due to the property of permeability and resistance of material against degradation process. Undeniably, decomposition process involves numerous potential variables including burial condition, presence of clothing, potential formation of adipocere and mummification. Hence, studies in forensic taphonomy combined with real case scenario are crucial in understanding the nature of decomposition and estimation of PMI with higher accuracy.

Keywords: Adipocere; burial condition; decomposition; mummification; post mortem changes; putrefaction

ABSTRAK

Pereputan adalah proses penguraian mayat kepada bahan asas secara makroskopik dan mikroskopik melalui aktiviti mikroorganisma, atropod dan pembangkai. Perubahan pasca kematian dapat dibahagikan kepada perubahan pasca kematian awal (iaitu algor mortis, rigor mortis dan livor mortis) dan tahap pembusukan mayat. Perubahan ini berfungsi sebagai petunjuk yang sesuai bagi penentuan selang masa pasca kematian. Dalam ulasan ini, tahap perubahan pasca kematian yang berbeza, variasi seperti mumifikasi dan pembentukan adipocere serta situasi tertentu iaitu keadaan pengebumian telah dibincangkan. Artikel ini juga merangkumi beberapa pendapat yang bertentangan terhadap perbezaan antara tekstur adipocere yang terbentuk serta pengaruh faktor jenis pakaian yang berbeza dalam mempengaruhi perubahan pasca kematian dan pembentukan adipocere. Ini adalah disebabkan oleh tahap ketelusan dan ketahanan bahan terhadap proses pereputan. Tidak dapat dinafikan, proses pereputan melibatkan pelbagai faktor yang berpotensi, termasuklah keadaan pengebumian, pakaian, pembentukan adipocere dan mumifikasi. Maka, kajian dalam forensik tafonomi bersama dengan senario kes sebenar adalah penting untuk memahami proses pereputan dan penentuan selang masa pasca kematian dengan kejituan yang lebih tinggi.

Kata kunci: Adipocere; keadaan pengebumian; mumifikasi; pembusukan; pereputan; perubahan pasca kematian

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*Corresponding author; email: drsripaah@gmail.com