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Stage 1: Fresh
The body begins to cool or warm to match the temperature, and Algor mortis sets in. Muscular tissue becomes rigid and no longer relaxed during a stage called rigor mortis. Blood pools and makes a blue-ish purple hue called livor mortis (where depends on the body's position). Blood no longer respires causing a breakdown of surrounding cells. No physical changes are usually seen, and blowflies and flesh flies might begin to appear. -
Period: to
Stages of Decomposition
There are 5 stages of decomposition: fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and dry/remains. (Dates inputted are random). -
Stage 2: Bloat
Shows first visual signs of decay. Anaerobic metabolism takes place which causes gasses to accumulate. This causes the stomach to descend and makes the corpse appear bloated. Increase in pressure also causes fluids in the body to leave through orifices like the nose or mouth. The body may rupture due to pressure and thin skin. Maggots may now begin to hatch and eat the body's tissue, as do flies. The gases give strong odors often indicative of dead bodies. -
Stage 3: Active Decay
The greatest loss of mass, caused by both the feeding of bugs and the loss of fluids due to pressure. Fluids accumulate around the body and create a decomposition site. Disintegration of tissues becomes obvious, and the end of the stage is evident when maggots start to go away. -
Stage 4: Advanced Decay
Decomposition is restrained due to the loss of cadaveric material, with reduced insect activity. If on soil, it may show vegetation death, and the area around the body will show an increase in soil carbon and nutrients. -
Stage 5: Dry/Remains
Plant growth may begin again around the cadaver, which by this point, is just dry skin, cartilage, and bone. It may also become bleached if exposed. A cadaver with no soft tissue is known as skeletonized while a cadaver with soft tissue is only partially skeletonized.