Stages of Decomposition

By noah berl
  • 1 CE

    Stage 1

    In the first hours following death, your body shows no outward signs of decomposition.
  • Period: 1 CE to 5

    Decomposition

  • 2

    Stage 2

    The four major things that happen during the fresh stage: livor mortis, algor mortis, rigor mortis, and autolysis (cell death).
  • 3

    Stage 3

    During the Early Decompostion Stage, your skin begins to change colors ranging from green to gray to brown. Gases pass through the blood vessels, causing the skin to look like marble.
  • 4

    Stage 4

    As the body enters the advance decomposition stage, the skin starts to sag and becomes prominent and maggot activity becomes extensive.
  • 5

    Stage 5

    Stage 5
    By now, most of your body tissues have decayed and been eaten away by insects. However, the skeleton is still greasy from the remaining soft tissues and body fluids from the early stages.