Brief description of putrefaction of a human body with respect to time of death
2-3 days: Staining begins on the abdomen. The body begins to swell owing to gas formation.
2-3 days: Staining begins on the abdomen. The body begins to swell owing to gas formation.
3-4 days: The staining spreads and veins become discoloured.
5-6 days: The abdomen swells with gas (produced by the bacteria to decompose the body), and the skin blisters.
2 weeks : The abdomen becomes very tight and swollen.
3 weeks : Tissues begin to soften. Organs and cavities are bursting. The nails fall off.
4 weeks : Soft tissues begin to liquefy, and the face becomes unrecognisable.
The exact rate of putrefaction is, of course, dependent upon many factors, such as weather, exposure, and location.
