forensic science part 1: the 5 stages of decomposition

i need somewhere to keep all my notes on forensics/death science so here is part one: my informal write up on the five different stages of decomposition. also i just like sharing/talking about this kind of shit. 

wish i could include pictures but i feel like that would be too graphic for the site.

hmu if you like forensics/death science. i love talking/learning about it.

------------------------

1. autolysis: first stage right after the heart and breathing stops. basically the inside of the body becomes acidic (which breaks down cells and starts decomp) because of the carbon dioxide and other gasses that get produced in the body, which then also get trapped and lead to the second stage

2. bloat/early decay: happens 2-3 days after death. this is when the body starts bloating/expanding. this is because of the gasses produced by enzymes and bacteria/microbes. bodies can expand to almost 2x their original size. the gasses contain sulfur, which causes skin discoloration/makes the skin look black and also produces some HELLA FUNKY smells

3. active decay: skin, internal organs, and muscles begin to liquify. the liquids leak out of like every orifice on the body (mouth, nose, asshole). most of the mass of the body is lost here because practically everything is liquifying. at this point flies and beetles are eating the tissue, and moths and mites are eating the hair. other scavengers come and eat some of what remains.

4. advanced decay: really all thats left at this stage is like, cartilage, bones, some hair, and like gross residues. 

5. skeletonization:  (which is totally a word btw even though my computer is telling me it's not) this literally just means there is only bones left. or possibly when the body is fully mummified (usually in dry climates where there isnt a chance for the body to stay moist)