Stage of decomposition of the human body. Step by step: what happens to the body after death 

The topic of what happens to the human body after death is fraught with a lot of interesting facts, shrouded in myths and legends. What actually happens to the body's tissues when a person dies? And is the process of decomposition so terrible, which, judging by the corresponding photos and videos, is not a sight for the faint of heart.

Stages of death

Death is the natural and inevitable end of the life of any living creature. This process does not happen all at once; it includes a number of successive stages. Death is expressed in the cessation of blood flow, the cessation of the nervous and respiratory systems, and the extinction of mental reactions.

Medicine distinguishes the stages of dying:

It is impossible to determine exactly how long it takes a person to die, since all processes are strictly individual, their duration depends on the reason for the end of life. So, for some, these stages are completed within a few minutes, for others they take long weeks and even months.

What does a corpse look like?

What happens to the body of a deceased person in the first minutes and hours after death is familiar to people who have observed these changes. The appearance of the deceased and the transition from one state to another depend on natural chemical reactions the body, continuing even after the extinction of vital functions, as well as environmental conditions.

Drying

It is observed in previously moistened areas: mucous membranes of the lips, genitals, cornea, as well as places of wounds, abrasions and other skin damage.

The higher the air temperature and the humidity surrounding the corpse, the faster the process. The cornea of ​​the eye becomes cloudy, yellow-brown “Larche spots” appear on the white membranes.

Cadaveric drying allows us to assess the presence of intravital damage to the body.

Rigor

The decrease and subsequent complete disappearance of adenosine triphosphoric acid, a substance formed as a result of metabolic processes, is considered the main reason why the body of the deceased becomes numb. When internal organs cease to function, metabolism fades, and the concentration of various compounds decreases.

The body takes a pose characterized by the upper limbs bent at the elbows, hips and knee joints- lower and semi-compressed hands. Rigor mortis is recognized as definitive evidence of death.

The active stage begins 2-3 hours after biological death and ends after 48 hours. Processes accelerate when exposed to high temperatures.

At this stage, a decrease in body temperature occurs. How quickly a corpse cools depends on the environment - during the first 6 hours the rate decreases by 1 degree per hour, then by a degree every 1.5-2 hours.

If the deceased is pregnant, a “coffin birth” is possible, when the uterus pushes out the fetus.

Cadaveric spots

They are ordinary hematomas or bruises, as they are clots of dried blood. When biological fluid stops flowing through the vessels, it settles in nearby soft tissues. Under the influence of gravity, it descends to an area closer to the surface on which the body of the deceased or deceased lies.

Thanks to this physical features, criminologists can determine how a person died, even if the dead body was moved to another place.

Smell

In the first minutes and hours after death, the only unpleasant odors that will emanate from the deceased may be the smell of involuntary bowel movements.

After a few days or hours, if the dead body has not been refrigerated, a characteristic cadaveric or decomposing odor develops. Its reason lies in chemical processes - the rotting of internal organs causes many gases to accumulate in the body: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and others, which create a characteristic “aroma”.

Facial changes

Loss of muscle tone and relaxation are the reasons for the disappearance of fine wrinkles from the skin, while deep ones are less visible.

The face takes on a neutral expression, similar to a mask - traces of pain and torment or joyful bliss disappear, the deceased looks calm and peaceful.

Sexual arousal

An erection in men is a common occurrence in the first minutes after death. Its occurrence is explained by the law of gravity - blood tends to the lower parts of the body and does not return to the heart, its accumulation occurs in the soft tissues of the body, including the reproductive organ.

Emptying the bowel and bladder

Natural biological processes arise due to loss of tone in the muscles of the body. As a result, the sphincter and urethra relax. It is clear that such a phenomenon requires one of the very first and obligatory rituals of the deceased - ablution.

Weight

In the course of many medical studies, it was possible to establish that a person’s weight changes immediately after death - the corpse weighs 21 grams less. There is no scientific explanation for this, so it is generally accepted that this is the weight of the soul of the deceased, which left the mortal body for eternal life.

How the body decomposes

The body continues to decompose for many years after death, but these stages mainly occur after the funeral and are inaccessible to the attention of ordinary people. However, thanks to medical research, all stages of decomposition are described in detail in specialized literature, which makes it possible to imagine what a decomposing corpse looks like a month or years after death.

Like the stages of death, the decomposition processes of each deceased person have individual characteristics and depend on the factors that led to death.

Autolysis (Self-absorption)

Decomposition begins within the first minutes after the soul leaves the body, but the process becomes noticeable only after a few hours. Moreover, the higher the ambient temperature and humidity in it, the faster these changes occur.

The first stage is drying. Thin layers of the epidermis are exposed to it: mucous membranes, eyeballs, fingertips and others. The skin of these areas turns yellow and thins, then thickens and becomes like parchment paper.

The second stage is direct autolysis. It is characterized by the breakdown of cells of internal organs caused by the activation of their own enzymes. At this stage, the tissues become soft and liquid, which is why the expression “the corpse is dripping.”

The organs that produce these enzymes and therefore have the largest reserves are the first to undergo changes:

• kidneys;
• adrenal glands;
• pancreas;
• liver;
• spleen;
• organs of the digestive system.

It is difficult to predict how long it will take to complete the autolysis cycle. It depends:

• on the temperature at which the corpse is stored - the lower it is, the longer it takes for the tissues to digest themselves;
• on the amount of pathogenic microflora that is involved in the process of absorption of body cells.

Rotting

This is the late post-mortem stage of decomposition, occurring on average after three days and lasting quite a long time. It is from this moment that a specific corpse smell arises, and the body itself swells from the putrefactive gases overflowing it.

If human remains have not been buried, and the temperature surrounding them is high, the corpse rots quite quickly - after 3-4 months only the skeleton remains. Cold can slow down these processes, and freezing can stop them. The simple answer to the question is where do such rotten masses go - they are absorbed into the soil, which subsequently makes it fertile.

Smoldering

Putrefactive processes are characteristic of corpses in the grave and occur without the participation of oxygen. Remains that have to decompose on the surface of the earth are subject to another biological process - decay. Moreover, such decomposition occurs faster, since there are fewer chemical compounds in the tissues and at the same time they are less toxic than those that fill a corpse rotting underground.

The reason for the differences is simple - under the influence of oxygen, water evaporates faster from the tissues and conditions arise for the growth of mold and the development of invertebrates, which literally “eat away” the soft tissues, as a result of which the decomposed corpse becomes a clean skeleton.

Saponification

This process is typical for remains buried in soil with high humidity, in water, and in places where there is no access to oxygen. This leads to peeling of the skin (maceration), moisture penetrates the body and washes out blood and a number of various substances, after which saponification of fats occurs. As a result of chemical reactions, special soaps are formed, which form the basis of fat wax - a solid mass, both similar to soap and cottage cheese.

Fat wax acts on the principle of a preservative: although such corpses do not have internal organs (they are more like a slimy shapeless mass), the appearance of the body is preserved almost completely.

It easily reveals traces of injuries and damage that led to death: opening of veins, gunshot wounds, strangulation and others. It is for this feature that saponification is valued by those who work in forensic medical examination bodies - pathologists and criminologists.

Mummification

At its core, it is the drying out of human remains. For the process to proceed correctly and fully, a dry environment, high temperature and good ventilation of the corpse are required.

At the end of mummification, which can last from several weeks in children and up to six months in adults, body height and weight decrease, soft tissues become dense and wrinkled (which indicates a lack of moisture in them), and the skin acquires a brownish-brown tint.

Activities of living organisms

The body of each person is inhabited by several million microorganisms, the vital activity of which does not depend on whether he is alive or not. After the cessation of biological processes in the body, the immune defense also disappears, making it easier for fungi, bacteria and other flora to move through the internal organs.

This activity allows the self-absorption process to proceed faster, especially if environmental conditions are favorable for their growth.

Corpse sounds

These phenomena are characteristic of remains that have entered the stage of decay, as they arise as a result of the release of gases filling the body, and these are formed under the influence of the activity of microorganisms.

In the first days after death, the sphincter and trachea usually become the pathways for the release of volatile substances, so the deceased is characterized by the presence of wheezing, whistles and groans, which serve as a reason for the creation of terrible myths.

Bloating

Another phenomenon caused by the accumulation of volatile compounds and decomposing internal organs. Since most gases accumulate in the intestines, it is the stomach that swells first, and only after that the process spreads to the rest of the members.

The skin loses color, becomes covered in blisters, and the rotted insides in the form of a jelly-like liquid begin to leak from the natural orifices of the body.

Hair and nails

There is an opinion that keratinized integuments continue to grow even after the completion of biological processes. And although it is erroneous, it is impossible to say that their length does not increase. The fact is that during drying - the very first stage of decomposition, the skin becomes noticeably thinner and the root of the hair or nail is pulled out and exposed, which creates a deceptive impression of growth.

Bones

Bone tissue is the strongest and least susceptible to destruction part of the human body. Bones do not decompose for many years, do not rot or decay - even the smallest and thinnest of them take centuries to turn into dust.

Skeletonization of a corpse in a coffin takes up to 30 years, in the ground it happens faster (in 2-4 years). Large and wide bones remain virtually unchanged.

Soil fertilization

During the process of decomposition, several thousand useful components, minerals, micro- and macroelements, chemical and biological compounds are released from the remains of living matter, which are absorbed into the soil and become an excellent fertilizer for it.

The process has a positive effect on the overall ecological system of the region where the cemeteries are located, and explains the custom of some ancient tribes of burying the dead at the edges of pastures and vegetable gardens.

What happens to the deceased after death

If the physiological and biological components of death are described in some detail both in specialized medical literature and by individuals interested in the occult, who love corpses and are interested in their various states, then the question of the soul or vital energy, the wandering mind, subsequent reincarnation and other phenomena is the same until the end and has not been explored.

Not a single living person has found answers to the questions of whether there is life after death, what a dying or already dead person feels, how real the other world is.

In any case, the body of the deceased must undergo its own special ritual, and his soul is remembered by family and friends. The first commemoration is held 9 days later, or no later than 10 days from the moment of death, again - on the 40th day, and the third - on the anniversary of the death.

In 40 days

Analysis of remains, including those from a hidden grave, can help determine the date of a person's death. For example, studies have shown that the maximum concentration of phospholipids in the fluid flowing from the body is observed 40 days after death, and nitrogen and phosphorus - after 72 and 100 days, respectively.

After 60 days, the corpse begins to crumble, if buried in moist soil, and acquires a whitish-yellow color. Staying the body in peat soil and swamp makes the skin dense and rough, bones become soft over time, resembling cartilage tissue.

According to Orthodox beliefs, in 40 days the soul of the deceased ends earthly ordeals and goes to the afterlife.

What it will be will be decided by the Supreme Court, not the last argument of which will be the fact of how the burial was carried out. So, before burying the coffin, a service is read over the deceased, during which the remission of all his earthly sins occurs.

In a year

At this time, the processes of decomposition of the body continue: the remaining soft tissues, exposing the skeleton. It is typical that a year after death the cadaveric smell is no longer present. This means that the rotting process is complete. The remains of tissues smolder, releasing nitrogen and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

During this period, the presence of tendons, dry and dense areas of the body can still be observed. Next, a long process of mineralization will begin (up to 30 years), as a result of which the person will be left with bones that are not connected to each other.

The year in Orthodoxy is marked by the final transition of the soul of the deceased to Heaven or Hell and union with previously deceased relatives and friends. It is the first anniversary that is considered the new birth of the soul for eternal life, so the wake is held surrounded by close relatives and all the people dear to the deceased.

Burial methods

Each religion has its own canons and customs, according to which ceremonies of veneration and remembrance of the deceased are held on certain days, as well as the peculiarities of burying the body.

Thus, in Christianity, it is customary to bury the dead in a coffin or immerse them in crypts; in Islam, they wrap them in a shroud and place them in damp earth; in Hinduism and Buddhism, the dead are burned, because they believe that the soul can be reborn and return in a new body, and in Some Indian tribes still maintain the custom of eating the dead.

The list of methods is long, and recently some quite unusual ones have been encountered: dissolving the body in special chemical compounds or hanging it in the air for mummification. But two are most popular in our country: burial in a coffin and cremation.

Few even religious people know why they bury dead people in coffins. According to beliefs, the very concept of “deceased” or “deceased” means one who has fallen asleep, resting, that is, one who temporarily rests in anticipation of the re-coming of Christ and the subsequent resurrection.

That is why the body of the deceased is placed in a coffin, which is designed to preserve it until the Second Coming. Key Features are placing a pillow under the head and placing it in the ground facing east, since it is from there that the Savior will appear.

If we consider the burial process from a biological point of view, the wooden box in which the deceased is placed is also considered a natural material, and when the coffin rots, additional fertilizer is formed, which improves the ecosystem.

Cremation is a process called burning a body. It is widespread because it has several advantages:

• saving space, since the urn with ashes takes up less space than a coffin;
• costs for cremation are lower than for a classic funeral;
• If the urn with the ashes of the deceased is placed at home, then a place in the cemetery is not required.

The only caveat is that such deceased people should not hope for the subsequent Resurrection and the acquisition of Eternal Life in Orthodoxy, since the church does not welcome and even condemns cremation.

Another pressing question is how many days after the dead are buried. Everything here is individual and depends on the causes and circumstances of the death itself. If law enforcement agencies have no questions about the occurrence of a fatal outcome, it is better to carry out the burial on the second day after death, since decay processes begin later, the corpse turns black or blue, becomes covered in spots, and smells bad.

If burial is temporarily impossible for some reason, the body should be placed in the cold. Thus, a special temperature in the morgue and treatment of the corpse with appropriate chemicals will help keep it in optimal condition for a long time. Some relatives try to stop the decomposition by using dry ice or placing the deceased in the cold, which can be done, but only if the funeral is postponed for 1-2 days.

In some cases, most often requiring additional forensic research or reburial, the corpse is exhumed.

The removal of the body is usually carried out with special permission and compliance with Orthodox customs and canons. Exhumed bodies are quickly redirected to the morgue or to a subsequent burial site

Swiss scientists have released shocking data: the bodies of people buried in the last three decades hardly decompose! They look like they were put in a coffin a week ago. Researchers blame this on poor environment and poor quality food from fast food outlets.

German forensic experts were the first to sound the alarm. In August in Düsseldorf, at a scientific and practical conference, Dr. Werner Stolz from Berlin presented a sensational report. Over the past three years, while exhuming the bodies of people buried 20 or more years ago, he has encountered 32 times that their corpses were almost completely decomposed. The dead look “fresh”, as if they were buried in the ground a week or a week and a half ago.

And recently this topic came up again in Switzerland at a meeting of funeral business specialists. The directors of large cemeteries in Paris, Milan, Hamburg, and Cologne unanimously complained that they no longer had enough space for new burials. According to sanitary standards adopted in the EEC, it is possible to dig a fresh grave in the place of an old one after 17 years. However, the corpses simply do not have time to turn into dust before the deadline.
Don't eat a Big Mac and you'll become a mummy!

Swiss scientists began studying incorruptible bodies. After two months of painstaking research, they came up with three possible explanations for why the dead are slow to decompose in the ground.

* According to the first version, the environment is to blame for everything. In a number of places, due to excessive soil pollution, an entire species of bacteria responsible for the decomposition of corpses has disappeared.

* Second hypothesis: modern anti-aging cosmetics are to blame for everything. People began to use special anti-aging creams. Their skin and upper tissues are embalmed during life and after death they prevent the natural process of decay.

*Third guess. The reason is food preservatives, which are found in large quantities in food. Carbonated drinks, sweets and all fast food products are especially rich in them. Mummification occurs due to the fact that preservatives that enter the human body with food accumulate throughout life and subsequently inhibit the process of decay. This version seems to scientists to be the most correct and the most disappointing.

We will no longer be able to change our diet. The whole world will consume more and more canned food every year, says Dr. Stolz. - And Europeans are not the first to perpetuate themselves in this way. This problem affected Americans 30 years ago, but the territory of the country still allows them to expand cemeteries.

Scientists see the only way out in the general cremation of the dead. The corresponding laws will most likely appear next year.

Canned corpses.

“The soft tissues of the bodies of the dead now turn into something other than ordinary
humus, and in corpse wax - a gray-white mass. Blame it all -
preservatives."
The use of preservatives and their effect on the human body has been debated for a long time, but living people have only recently begun to think about the fact that their effect continues for many years after life has left the body.

Food additives that are supposed to induce appetite in consumers, it turns out, completely discourage it from putrefactive bacteria, maggots and representatives of the class of nematode worms Sarcophagus mortuorum and Pelodera, which decompose mortal consumer bodies at the end of their life. This shocking conclusion was reached by scientists from several EU countries who studied the effect of preservatives consumed during life on slowing down the decomposition of bodies after death.

In fact, this phenomenon has been known for a long time: even in Tsarist Russia, forensic experts knew that the corpses of people who died in a state of severe intoxication or simply drank vodka to death were preserved much longer than usual - thanks to ethyl alcohol, which is known to be an excellent preservative .

However, now that we are surrounded everywhere by a variety of bactericidal substances, whose task is to maximize the shelf life of products on store shelves, the phenomenon of body preservation has taken on a much more serious scale than a few lethal curiosities from forensic practice.

For the first time, a similar problem was encountered in France, where the cemetery period, that is, the period after which a fresh corpse can be buried in an old grave, is minimal and amounts to five years. (If you want to lie in the cemetery longer, you need to fork out extra money).

In cemeteries where reburials have recently taken place, there has been an unusual deviation in the process of decomposition of the dead from its usual course. In the coffins removed from the graves, the corpses actually turned into wax figures of the buried. Unlike the well-known mummification, where the body is completely dried out in a dry climate with high temperature and good ventilation, the transformation of dead soft tissue into cadaveric wax is not yet fully understood. Previously, it was observed extremely rarely - only in conditions that were extremely unfavorable for the life of lower organisms, especially when air access to the body was difficult. The formation of corpse wax is also called saponification of the corpse, since the tissues are partially converted into lime soap. Saponification of a corpse usually occurs after a short period of decay: the corpse turns into a homogeneous, slightly shiny mass when cut, resembling solid fat in appearance, emitting almost no odor and melting at high temperatures. Corpse wax is formed mainly in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles and bones, and sometimes in the viscera; at the same time, the external shape of the organs is often preserved, and under a microscope you can in some places find tissues that have well preserved their structure.

Scientists who joined the study of the issue of the safety of the French dead were unanimous in their opinion: the normal work of industrious putrefactive bacteria and other corpse-eating fauna is hampered by preservatives that accumulated during life in the soft tissues of the dead. As it turned out, intravital obesity especially contributes to the saponification of a corpse, since preservatives readily remain in fat, accumulating in significant concentrations.

However, before the French experts had time to publish the data of their research, a “soap” scandal erupted in the quietest corners of Germany - namely, on cemetery lands, which are usually reused every fifteen to twenty years - this period was previously quite sufficient for the remains the deceased were almost completely decomposed. The current situation is reminiscent of a horror movie scenario for cemetery authorities - after all, in Germany, a grave cannot be reused until the remains it contains are completely rotten. However, the facts remain inexorable. “The soft tissues of the bodies of the dead in cemeteries no longer turn into humus, but into a gray-white mass - corpse wax,” said soil expert Rainer Horn from Christian Albrecht University in Kiel.

Apparently, very soon this craze will reach our lands - the living will become crowded with the dead and the good old method of burial in the ground will be the privilege of the oligarchs and large landowners!

ANALYTICS. 5 Bereznya 2010.

Dietary supplements "E" - genocide of the surplus slave population!

Food additives (several hundred of them are known) are a simple and cheap way to give a product an attractive appearance and color, enhance the taste, and also extend its shelf life.

Previously, the names of these chemical substances were written on product labels in full, but they took up so much space that in 1953, in Europe, it was decided to replace the full names of chemicals food additives one letter (index E - from Europe) with digital codes.

According to this system, food additives are divided into groups according to the principle of action. The group is determined by the first digit indicated after the letter E.

E100 - E182 Dyes. Enhances the color of the product.

E200 - E299 Preservatives (extend the shelf life of the product). Chemical sterilizing additives. Protects against microbes, fungi, bacteriophages.

E300 - E399 Antioxidants (slow down oxidation, for example, from rancidity of fats and color changes; similar in effect to preservatives

E400 - E499 Stabilizers (preserve the specified consistency of the product). Thickeners - increase viscosity.

E500 - E599 Emulsifiers (maintain a homogeneous mixture of immiscible products, such as water and oil). The action is similar to stabilizers)

E600 - E699 Flavor and smell enhancers

E700 - E899 reserved numbers

E900 - E999 Defoamers (prevent or reduce the formation of foam). Antiflamings and other substances

The most common food additives include preservatives and antioxidants.

Preservatives

Preservatives and stabilizers act similar to antibiotics. Preservatives ensure that any biological life in the product ceases. In an environment in which such a drug is present, life becomes impossible and bacteria die, which keeps the product from spoiling longer. A person consists of a huge number of different cells and has a large mass (compared to a unicellular organism), therefore, unlike unicellular organisms, he does not die from consuming a preservative (in some cases, also because the hydrochloric acid contained in the stomach is partially destroys the preservative). However, today the consumption of preservatives in food has reached such volumes that they accumulate to a critical mass in a matter of years. This leads to mutations various organs, failure of vital systems, the emergence of chronic diseases and the emergence cancerous tumors. Also, the massive consumption of preservatives in daily diet led to such an amazing effect as stopping the decomposition of the bodies of the dead, discovered in the last decade in cemeteries in the USA, Canada, England, France and Germany. One of the most dangerous preservatives E240 (formaldehyde) may be present in canned foods (mushrooms, compotes, preserves, juices, etc.). It is also formalin (in the form of a solution).

There are many harmful additives among dyes. In particular, E121 (citrus red dye) and E123 (amaranth dye) are prohibited. They are usually found in sweet carbonated water, sweets, and colored ice cream. It has already been scientifically proven that all three additives can contribute to the formation of malignant tumors. Emulsifiers are often represented by mineral substances, for example: E500 - soda (sodium bicarbonate); E507 - hydrochloric acid; E513 - sulfuric acid. In addition to those mentioned above, there are chemical compounds, which are considered non-hazardous and are approved for use throughout the world. However, how appropriate is it to talk about their harmlessness if their maximum permissible daily dose should not exceed 5 micrograms per 80 kg of human weight, while with just one stick of dry sausage a person consumes up to 30 micrograms. Here are some of the most common: E250 - sodium nitrite, E251 - sodium nitrate, E252 - potassium nitrate.

It is impossible to imagine sausage products without these additives. During processing, minced sausage loses its soft pink color, turning into a gray-brown mass. Then nitrates and nitrites come into play, and from the display case already boiled sausage the color of steamed veal “looks” at us. Nitrogen additives are found not only in sausages, but also in smoked fish, sprats, and canned herring. They are also added to hard cheeses to prevent swelling. People suffering from liver and intestinal diseases, dysbacteriosis, and cholecystitis are advised to exclude foods containing these additives from their diet. In such people, part of the nitrates, entering the gastrointestinal tract, turns into more toxic nitrites, which in turn form quite strong carcinogens - nitrosamines, which lead to catastrophic destruction of health.
Food additives - genocide of the planet's surplus population

Sweeteners

Recently, various sugar substitutes have become increasingly popular; these additives are designated by codes E954 - saccharin. E952 - cyclamic acid and cyclamates, E950 - potassium acesulfan, E951 - aspartame, E968 - xylitol. These substances, to varying degrees, adversely affect the liver. Avoid products containing such additives for six months after hepatitis. You also need to be careful with xylitol. It can cause dysbiosis.

Safe "E"

Only a small number of food additives can be truly (and not officially) considered harmless, but doctors do not recommend using even them for children under 5 years of age.
E100 - curcumin (colorant), can be found in curry powder, sauces, ready-made rice dishes, jam, candied fruits, fish pates
E363 - succinic acid (acidulant), found in desserts, soups, broths, dry drinks
E504 - magnesium carbonate (dough leavening agent), can be contained in cheese, chewing gum, and even table salt - absolutely safe.
E957 - thaumatin (sweetener) can be found in ice cream, dried fruits, and sugar-free chewing gum.

Particularly harmful and prohibited food additives E:

E 102; E 104; E 110; E 120; E 121; E 122; E 123; E 124; E 127; E 128; E 129; E 131; E 132; E 133; E 142; E 151; E 153; E 154; E 155; E 173; E 174; E 175; E 180; E 214; E 215; E 216; E 217; E 219; E 226; E 227; E 230; E 231; E 233; E 236; E 237; E 238; E 239; E 240; E 249...E 252; E 296; E 320; E 321; E 620; E 621; E 627; E 631; E 635; E 924 a-b; E 926; E 951; E 952; E 954; E 957.

Rospotrebnadzor specialists consider the following additives dangerous:

E102, E110, E120, E124, E127, E129, E155, E180, E201, E220, E222, E223, E224, E228, E233, E242, E270, E400, E401, E402, E403, E404, E405, E501, 2, E503, E620, E636 and E637. E123, E510, E513 and E527 are included in the list of very dangerous ones, but for unknown reasons they are still not prohibited. Additives E104, E122, E141, E150, E171, E173, E241 and E477 were identified as suspicious.

Sodium benzoate (E 211)

The sodium salt of benzoic acid performs a rather important function as a preservative - it prevents the fermentation of juices and prevents bacteria from multiplying. It is added to soda and chips, meat and ketchup. Long-term consumption of E 211 in food can lead to metabolic disorders and cause cancer.

Aspartame (E 951)

This sweetener and flavor enhancer replaces sugar in diabetic foods. Aspartame is added to chewing gum, drinks, canned food, seasonings, etc. But for several years now in America, where it is used very widely, there has been a campaign to ban E 951. Products with the addition of aspartame can cause migraines, skin rashes and deterioration of brain activity.

Monosodium glutamate (E 621)

A chemical called monosodium glutamate gives the dish the taste and smell of meat (it is added to bouillon cubes to enhance the taste). If you exceed the norm (pour several packets into a cup of noodles), you can get poisoned. In America, hundreds of thousands of such poisonings occur every year.

FAO List

Classification of food additives in the Codex Alimentarius system, developed by International organization on food products and agriculture(FAO) at the UN. All this data is brought to the attention of product manufacturers, but since FAO is a public organization, its information is advisory in nature only.

* E103, E105, E121, E123, E125, E126, E130, E131, E142, E153 - dyes. Contained in sweet carbonated water, candies, and colored ice cream. Can lead to the formation of malignant tumors.

* E171-173 - dyes. Contained in sweet carbonated water, candies, and colored ice cream. May lead to liver and kidney diseases.

* E210, E211, E213-217, E240 - preservatives. Available in canned food of any kind (mushrooms, compotes, juices, jams). Can lead to the formation of malignant tumors.

* E221-226 - preservatives. Used for any canning. May lead to gastrointestinal diseases.

* E230-232, E239 - preservatives. Contained in canned food of any kind. May call allergic reactions.

* E311-313 - antioxidants (antioxidants) Found in yoghurts, fermented milk products, sausages, butter, chocolate. May cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

* E407, E447, E450 - stabilizers and thickeners. Contained in preserves, jams, condensed milk, chocolate cheese. May cause liver and kidney diseases.

* E461-466 - stabilizers and thickeners. Found in preserves, jams, condensed milk, chocolate cheese. May cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

* E924a, E924b - defoamers. Contained in carbonated drinks. Can lead to the formation of malignant tumors.

Additives harmful to the skin:

E151 E160 E231 E232 E239 E951 E1105

Cancer-forming additives:

E131 E142 E153 E210 E211 E212 E213 E214 E215 E216 E219 E230 E240 E249 E252 E280 E281 E282 E283 E330 E954

Extremely dangerous additives:

E123 E510 E513 E527

Additives that cause stomach upset:

E338 E339 E340 E341 E450 E451 E452 E453 E454 E461 E462 E463 E465 E466

Additives affecting arterial pressure:

E154 E250 E251

Additives that cause rash:

E310 E311 E312 E907

Additives that cause intestinal disorders:

E154 E343 E626 E627 E628 E629 E630 E631 E632 E633 E634 E635

Additives that cause malignant tumors:

E103, E105, E121, E123, E125, E126, E130, E131, E142, E152, E210, E211, E213-217, E240, E330, E447.

Additives, causing diseases gastrointestinal tract:

E221-226, E320-322, E338-341, E407, E450, E461-466.

Dangerous allergens:

E230, E231, E232, E239, E311-131.

Additives that cause liver and kidney disease:

E171-173, E320-322.

Read the labels carefully. Without looking, you can easily buy starch with the taste, smell and color of sausage. Some additives are only harmful in large quantities, but carcinogens tend to accumulate in the body. So, over time this will make itself felt.

Any modification of products makes them potentially hazardous to health. The use of synthetic flavor and color enhancers is a deception of your own body.

If you see products with a long shelf life, this is a sign that there are a lot of preservatives that have killed not only decomposition bacteria, but will also inevitably begin to kill your own cells.

Sooner or later, life comes to an end, and when the coffin is buried and the funeral is completed, many wonder what happens to the body after that? The question is quite exciting, since the processes occurring deep underground are inaccessible to ordinary people. Only specialists in a separate branch of medicine - forensic experts - can tell about the final fate of the body of a deceased person.

All changes affecting the dead body are conventionally divided into sequential stages, which can last for months or even years. According to official data, for complete decomposition, a corpse located underground in a coffin requires about 15 years, although repeated reburials can be carried out after the 11-13 year period when the first one was carried out. Experts say that over a given period of time, the body and coffin are completely decomposed, and the earth is suitable for reuse.

What happens in the coffin after the funeral

As mentioned above, the complete decomposition of burials takes about 15 years, which should be enough for the complete disappearance of the remains. The fields of medicine that deal with the causes of death and the mechanisms of decomposition of the body are pathological anatomy, thanatology and forensic medicine.

Almost immediately after death, the processes of self-digestion of the insides and soft tissues of the body begin, with parallel decay. Before burial, these processes are slowed down using artificial cooling in order to preserve appearance person to say goodbye to relatives.

As soon as the coffin is buried, these factors disappear and the processes of decomposition begin to operate in full force. When the soft tissues decompose, all that remains of the body is the skeleton and chemical compounds: gases, salts and liquids.

A human corpse is a kind of complex ecosystem that creates favorable conditions for large colonies of bacteria to live. The system grows rapidly and becomes wider due to decomposition. The immune system stops working when the body dies, and microbes no longer have any obstacles to colonizing the entire body. They live off body fluids, and their actions cause active decay.

Over time, all tissues rot or decay, leaving behind only a skeleton, but this structure is not eternal, because after a long time in the ground it is susceptible to destruction, leaving only its strongest parts.

What happens to the body after 1 year

When a whole year has passed since the funeral, the remains of the flesh still continue to rot in the coffin. Often, during the exhumation of burials, it is noted that there is no cadaveric smell - this means that the rotting is complete, and the remaining soft tissues can simply smolder (with the active formation of carbon dioxide), or there is simply nothing to smolder, since only the skeleton lies in the coffin, or rather what what's left of him.

Skeletonization is one of the important stages decomposition, in which only the skeleton remains in the coffin. After 1 year from the date of burial, individual large tendons or dense and dried particles of flesh may remain from the body.

Then the process of mineralization begins, which can last up to 30 years. All remains of the corpse must be rid of all excess minerals. In the end, what remains of the body is just a handful of bones, not held together by anything. The skeleton completely falls apart as joints and tendons disappear. He can remain in this state as long as he likes, but the bone itself is very fragile.

What happens to the coffin

Most modern coffins are made of wood (most often pine wood). This material is short-lived, especially when exposed to constant moisture. In the ground, such coffins can last a maximum of 6-7 years. After this time, he turns into dust and fails.

Because of this, when excavating old burials, at best you can find a couple of rotten tablets that were previously a coffin. The shelf life of the coffin may be slightly increased by coating it with varnish, or by using a different type of wood during manufacture. The rarest coffins are made of metal, which can survive for decades underground.

During active rotting and decay, the corpse loses all its liquid. As you know, the human body consists of 70% water, and it has to go somewhere. After leaving the cells and tissues, moisture seeps into the lower part of the coffin, passing through the boards into the ground. These processes spoil the wood and accelerate its decay.

Changes to the body in the coffin

After death occurs, human body(a corpse) is susceptible to several decomposition processes, which have their own periodicity and differ in flow rate (taking into account the environmental conditions in the burial area and the condition of the corpse itself). All processes affecting the body ultimately lead to the fact that only a bare skeleton remains.

As is customary, the dead are often buried only 3 days after death. This is explained not only by ancient customs, but also by simple biology. If the body is not placed in the ground on the 5th-7th day, this will have to be done in a coffin that is sealed with a lid, because processes such as autolysis and rotting come into force. They quickly lead to the development of putrefactive emphysema, the appearance of bruises from all natural orifices. Today, they can be stopped briefly by embalming or refrigerating the body.

Everything that happens to the body of a deceased person in a coffin underground is classified into stages that are generally considered to be decomposition.

Autolysis

One of the very first processes of decomposition, which comes into force almost immediately after the death of the organism is established. Autolysis or “self-digestion” is a complex biological process during which tissue breaks down. This is due to the breakdown of cell membranes with the subsequent release of enzymes from their structures. The most important are cathepsins. Autolysis has nothing to do with microorganisms, but begins on its own.

To a greater extent, many internal organs are susceptible to autolysis, but especially all those that contain a lot of the substance cathepsin. A little later, it affects absolutely all cells of the body. Ultimately, rigor mortis develops due to the leaching of calcium salts from the fluid in the intercellular areas, which then combine with troponin. This course of processes leads to the combination of actin and myosin, a total contraction of the muscles of the entire body. The cycle does not stop because there is no ATP, so the muscles relax when decomposition occurs.

Autolysis is still promoted by certain types of bacteria that disperse throughout the body from the gastrointestinal tract and feed on the secreted cellular fluid. They spread en masse throughout the body, seeping into the blood vessels, and first of all affect the liver.

Rotting

Almost immediately after autolysis, the process of decay begins, the rate of which depends on the following factors:

• The state of the body during life.
• Causes of death.
• Humidity and temperature of the earth.
• The density of the fabric from which the clothing is made.

The primary areas of decay are the mucous membranes and skin. It can begin quite early, especially if the soil near the coffin is wet, or the cause of death is blood poisoning. It will develop more slowly at low temperatures or lack of moisture; some toxic substances and thick clothing have the same effect.

Many people notice this fact as the "moaning corpse", but this is just a myth related to rotting. This state is described as – Vocalization. When soft tissue breaks down, gas is released, and to begin with it will occupy all the cavities in the body. When decay has just begun, gas from the inside escapes through physiological openings. If the gas is directed outward through the vocal cords, which are also constrained by stiff muscles, a specific sound is produced from the mouth (wheezing or groaning).

Inside the corpse, a gradual breakdown of proteins occurs, which break down into polypeptides and below. In the end, their place is taken by free amino acids, the transformation of which causes such an unpleasant phenomenon as a cadaverous odor. From this moment, the processes of decay can accelerate due to the colonization of the body by mold, maggots or nematodes. They lead to mechanical destruction of tissue, which makes it easier to rot.

Organs such as the liver, stomach, spleen and intestines decompose very quickly due to the large number of enzymes in their composition. Against this background, the peritoneum of corpses often ruptures, because the gas released during decay fills all the internal cavities (the body literally swells). The flesh continues to rot and disintegrate, becoming a foul, gray mushy mass until only bones remain.

The following visual manifestations are considered clear signs of the onset of rotting:

1. The corpse acquired a green tint (the appearance of sulfagemoglobin, which is formed from hydrogen sulfide and hemoglobin).
2. A putrefactive vascular network is visualized (the blood that remains in the vessels rots, and the blood elements turn into iron sulfide).
3. Cadaveric emphysema (bloating of the corpse due to high pressure produced gas).
4. The glow of a corpse in the dark (emission of hydrogen phosphide) is very rare, but possible.

Smoldering

The most active period of decomposition is considered to be the initial six months spent underground. But sometimes, in addition to rotting, smoldering processes can begin, especially under conditions of lack of moisture and abundance of oxygen. In some cases, smoldering begins after partial decay has occurred.

For smoldering to begin, the presence of a certain amount of oxygen and a small amount of moisture is sufficient. It does not release corpse gas, but carbon dioxide comes out.

Mummification or saponification processes

Sometimes, the corpse does not begin to rot, or even smolder. This phenomenon is possible with artificial treatment of the body certain solutions, in the presence of a certain condition of the body, or the conditions in which the burial took place.

Mummification is the drying out of a corpse to such an extent that it loses any chance of decomposition, and Saponification is the formation of fat wax. Natural mummification occurs when a corpse is buried in arid soil, in which low percentage moisture. The body is perfectly mummified if during life the person had severe dehydration, which turned into drying out of the corpse after death.

Artificial mummification can also be carried out, which can be achieved through embalming or any chemical preservative for the body (providing properties of slowing down the processes of autolysis and decay).

Fat wax is the antithesis of mummification. It begins to occur in conditions of excessively wet soil, when the corpse does not receive enough oxygen for decay and decay. In this state, the body gradually saponifies (oxygen-free bacterial hydrolysis). One of the main components of fat wax is ammonia soap, which appears after the processing of all subcutaneous fat, muscles, skin and brain. All other parts of the body either do not change or rot.

From the moment the heart stops, bodies become surprisingly active. And even though the dead will not be able to tell what decomposition is and how this whole process takes place, biologists can do this.

Life after death

The irony is that in order to rot, our bodies must teem with life.

1. Cardiac arrest

The heart stops and the blood thickens. The very moment that doctors call “the time of death.” Once this happens, all other parts of the body begin to die at different rates.

2. Two-tone coloring

The blood, which the “motor” has stopped dispersing through the vessels, accumulates in the veins and arteries. Since it no longer flows, the body takes on a complex coloration. His lower part turns purple-blue, like a juicy black eye after a glorious brawl. The laws of physics are to blame: liquid settles in the lower part of the body due to the effects of gravity. The rest of the skin located at the top will have a deathly pale color because the blood has accumulated elsewhere. The circulatory system no longer works, red blood cells lose hemoglobin, which is responsible for their red color, and gradually discoloration occurs, giving a pale color to the tissues.

3. Deadly cold

Algor mortis is the Latin word for “deadly cold.” Bodies lose their lifetime 36.6°C and slowly adapt to room temperature. The cooling rate is about 0.8°C per hour.

Global Look Press/ZUMAPRESS.com/Danilo Balducci

4. Rigor mortis

Hardening and stiffening of limb muscles occurs several hours after death, when the entire body begins to stiffen due to decreased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels. Rigor mortis begins in the eyelids and neck muscles. The process of rigor rigor itself is not endless - it stops subsequently when the enzymatic decomposition of muscle tissue begins.

5. Chaotic movements

Yes, the blood has drained and frozen, but bodies are still capable of twitching and bending for several hours after death. Muscle tissue contracts as a person dies, and depending on how many and which muscles contracted during the agony, the body of the deceased may even appear to move.

6. Younger face

As the muscles eventually stop contracting, the wrinkles disappear. Death is a little like Botox. The only trouble is that you are already dead and cannot rejoice in this circumstance.

7. The intestines empty

Although rigor mortis causes the body to freeze, not all organs do so. At the moment of death, our sphincter finally gains freedom, getting rid of total control. When the brain stops regulating involuntary functions, the sphincter begins to do what it wants: it opens, and all the “residues” leave the body.

Global Look Press/imago stock&people/Eibner-Pressefoto

8. Corpses smell great

Corpses are known to smell. Putrid odors are the result of a surge of enzymes, which fungi and bacteria, designed for decomposition processes, perceive as a signal to attack. In the tissues of a corpse there is a mass of everything that allows them to actively reproduce. The “feast” of bacteria and fungi is accompanied by the generation of putrefactive gases with corresponding odors.

9. Animal Invasion

Blow flies literally step on the heels of bacteria and fungi. They rush to lay their eggs in the deceased body, which then turn into larvae. The larvae cheerfully bite into dead flesh. Later they are joined by ticks, ants, spiders, and then larger scavengers.

10. Farewell sounds

Wild trash from all the doctors and nurses! Bodies will emit gases, creak and moan! All this is the result of a combination of rigor mortis and the vigorous activity of the intestines, which continue to release gas.

11. The intestines are digested

The intestines are filled with a variety of bacteria, which after death do not have to travel far - they immediately attack the intestines. Freed from the immune system's control, the bacteria go on a wild feast.

12. Eyes pop out of their sockets

As organs decompose and the intestines produce gases, these gases cause eyes to bulge from their sockets and tongues to swell and fall out of mouths.

"Universal Pictures Rus"

13. Bloated skin

Gases rush upward, gradually separating the skin from the bones and muscles.

14. Rotting

Following the “slipping down” blood, all the cells of the body tend downward under the influence of gravity. The body tissues have already lost their density due to decomposed proteins. Once the putrefaction reaches its apotheosis, the corpses become “sweet” and spongy. In the end, only bones remain.

15. Bones come last

Decades after bacteria, fungi and other organisms have finished off the flesh, the protein in the bones breaks down, leaving behind hydroxyapatite, a bone mineral. But over time it turns to dust.

The dead hear everything

Everything that happens to us beyond the line separating life from death was, is and will remain a mystery for a long time. Hence - a lot of fantasies, sometimes quite scary. Especially if they are somewhat realistic.

A dead woman giving birth is one of these horrors. Several centuries ago, when mortality in Europe was prohibitively high, the number of women who died during pregnancy was also high. All the same gases described above led to the expulsion of an already non-viable fetus from the body. All this is casuistry, but the few cases that occurred are documented, writes the Bigpicture portal.

"UPI"

A relative crouched in a coffin is a quite probable phenomenon, but, to put it mildly, exciting. People in past centuries felt about the same as we do today. It was the fear of witnessing something like this, combined with the hope that the dead person might suddenly come to life, that at one time led to the appearance of “houses of the dead.” When relatives doubted that a person was dead, they left him in a room in such a house with a rope tied to his finger, says Naked-Science. The other end of the rope led to a bell located in the next room. If the deceased “came to life”, the bell rang, and the guard, serving in a chair next to the bell, immediately rushed to the deceased. Most often, the alarm was false - the cause of the ringing was the movement of bones caused by gases or the sudden relaxation of muscles. The deceased left the “house of the dead” when there was no longer any doubt about the processes of decay.

The development of medicine, oddly enough, only aggravates the confusion around the processes of death. Thus, doctors have found that some parts of the body continue to live after death for quite a long time, writes InoSMI. Such “long-livers” include heart valves: they contain connective tissue cells that retain “good shape” for some time after death. Thus, heart valves from a deceased person can be used for transplantation within 36 hours of cardiac arrest.

The cornea lives twice as long. Its usefulness lasts three days after you die. This is explained by the fact that the cornea is in direct contact with the air and receives oxygen from it.

This can also explain the “long life path» auditory nerve. The deceased, as doctors say, loses hearing, the last of all his five senses. For another three days the dead hear everything - hence the famous: “About the deceased - everything or nothing but the truth.”

The decomposition of a corpse is a continuous process, long-lasting and irreversible. At the same time, successive conditions are characterized by certain changes in cadaveric tissue, which makes it possible to distinguish certain stages in it. In forensic medicine, it is customary to consider the process of putrefaction (putrification of a corpse) as the decomposition of the organic matter of a corpse under the influence of enzyme systems of microorganisms (without the participation of insects) with the formation of final inorganic products. The changes that occur in the body during decay are described in sufficient detail in the specialized literature (Popov, 1994; Khokhlov, 1998; Tumanov, 2014). The term “rotting” for the process of post-mortem changes in a human corpse is not entirely acceptable, since in nature rotting does not exist in isolated form. Destruction of a corpse, especially in natural conditions, is a complex process consisting of the activity of microorganisms, fungi, algae, insects, vertebrates, as well as abiotic factors. Even Pierre Megnin (1894) pointed out the fact that the process of decomposition of a corpse largely depends on the presence of insects, and each of its stages can be characterized by the presence of a certain group of them. Carcasses of animals that were not accessible to insects retain their shape and parameters for many months after death, thus remaining recognizable as specific individuals, while carcasses accessible to insects decompose and disappear within a few weeks. Thus, in bodies inaccessible to insects, decomposition proceeds in a completely different form than in those to which insects have access. Such a corpse has a characteristic odor, its tissues melt (liquefy) very slowly and have a typical sticky consistency, shrinkage occurs gradually, and in the final phase the process can turn into something like mummification. However, it is difficult to determine what the actual impact of insects on the decomposition process is. They significantly accelerate the destruction of dead organic matter due to the influence of the digestive juices they secrete, including during the feeding of the larvae. Through mechanical processes of tunneling and burying, they change the state of aeration inside the corpse, which in turn affects the spread of bacteria and the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic microflora. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the process of corpse destruction in a comprehensive manner, taking into account both its microbiological component and the effect on tissue of the necrobiont insect complex. This knowledge is all the more important since determining the duration of death by the nature and severity of putrefactive changes can only be carried out tentatively, while the use of insects as material evidence makes it possible to clarify the duration of the postmortem interval.

Currently, there are a large number of points of view on how many stages the decomposition process includes. For the first time, the process of decomposition and the sequence of colonization of a corpse by insects was pointed out by Pierre Megnin (Megnin, 1894). Having studied in detail the fauna of large corpses, including humans, he made a conclusion about the existing succession of the corpse - the successive change of insects inhabiting it. They identified four main stages of colonization of a corpse by insects and eight successional stages. There are other assumptions regarding the number of stages in the decomposition process. For example, H.F. Howden (Howden, 1958) divided it into only 2 stages, and M.E. Fuller (1934) proposed to distinguish three stages. The first stage is from the moment of death until the beginning of active decomposition; the second is the stage of active decomposition, accompanied by a strong smell of rotting. The author characterizes the third stage by the drying of cadaveric tissues with the gradual disappearance of the smell of rotting. However, M.E. Fuller pointed out that such a division with a corresponding description of the changes in insects in them was made for convenience. The process of destruction of dead organic matter itself is continuous, and the stages associated with the insects found in them overlap each other. In addition, they were isolated during the decomposition of small animal carcasses, which decompose fairly quickly. In the corpses of large animals and humans, especially in more temperate climates, a greater number of stages could be identified.

American researcher H.B. Reed (Reed, 1958), L.F. Jiron and V.M. Cortin (Jiron, 1981) from South America, as well as an Egyptian group of scientists (Lamia Galal, 2009) identified 4 stages of decomposition.

1. Stage of “fresh” decomposition. It begins from the moment of death and continues until the first signs of bloating appear. In this case, there are no gross morphological changes in the corpse or the smell of decay.
2. Stage of bloating of the corpse. The body increases in size due to the accumulation in the tissues of putrefactive gases released by microorganisms during their life activity in the corpse, its color and smell change, and a sanguineous fluid is released from the corpse.
3. Decay stage. Characterized by “deflating” the corpse.
4. Dry decomposition stage. This is the final stage in which most of the soft tissue has disappeared. There is no smell of rotting; the corpse consists of fragments of dry skin and bones. After all the soft tissues have undergone destruction, bone remains remain.

A number of other authors propose to distinguish five stages, mainly by dividing any of the above stages into two. For example, G.F. Bornemissza from Australia (Bornemissza, 1957), scientists from British Columbia G.S. Anderson and Sh.L VanLaerhoven (Anderson, 1996), M.B. Horenstein and A.X. Linhares, who conducted research in central Argentina (Horenstein, 2011), divided the decay stage into two distinct stages: active and further (continuing) decay. M.L. Goff (2009) from the USA, in the 4th stage, distinguished directly dry decomposition (in which dry skin, cartilage and bones are still preserved) and the skeletonization stage. Finally, J.A. Payne (1965) from South Carolina proposed 6 stages of decomposition of a corpse: the fresh decomposition stage, then the bloating stage of the corpse, after that the stages of active decay and further (continuing) decay, then the dry decomposition itself and the skeletonization stage.

N.I. Shevchenko and colleagues (Shevchenko, 2012) proposed using a new approach to staging decomposition, which takes into account the microbiological and biochemical components of the process, the connection with oxygen and humidity, its qualitative and morphological features (Table).

Table. Stages of decomposition of a corpse and their duration (according to N.I. Shevchenko, 2012)

The author notes that the given periods of the postmortem period are significantly averaged and can be considered objective for the most common conditions of decomposition (average daily temperature 18-20°C and normal humidity). While for the northern territories, where the average temperature fluctuates in the range of 0°C...+1.5°C; +2°C... 3.4-3.6°C and, depending on the nature of atmospheric circulation, is very different and is set 1-2°C warmer or colder than normal, time intervals, as well as the specifics of the stages of decomposition of a corpse can vary significantly.

Thus, having studied the available data on the issues of decomposition of a corpse in the terrestrial environment, we can conclude that at the moment there are quite a large number of points of view regarding the process of decomposition of dead organic matter, which can be explained by the fact that the process of decomposition proceeds smoothly (not discretely) and it is quite problematic to identify strict boundaries between stages. In addition, the studies were carried out in different climatic zones, where abiotic factors differ significantly, and the rate of decomposition and skeletonization of corpses very much depends on these parameters. However, all researchers necessarily identified such characteristic stages of decomposition as the stage of a “fresh” corpse as the initial stage of active decomposition and the stage of dry decomposition (skeletonization).

M.I. Marchenko, based on the results of a large number of experiments conducted with animal (dog) corpses in the temperate zone ( Leningrad region), proposed five stages of biological decomposition (Marchenko, 1987; Marchenko, 1992).

1. Early microbial decomposition stage. Follows autolytic processes and continues until the first oviposition of flies and the hatching of larvae.
2. The stage of active decomposition of a corpse by insects. It is characterized by the vital activity of fly larvae and ends with the end of their development. At this stage, the bulk of the soft tissue is decomposed.
3. Late decomposition stage. It is carried out mainly by beetle larvae, which destroy the remaining soft tissue.
4. Stage of microbiological decomposition of a corpse. It begins with the departure of the larvae of necrobiont beetles from the remains of the corpse, is carried out by microorganisms and molds and ends with the disintegration of the skeleton into individual bones.
5. Stage of bone tissue breakdown. It is carried out by mold fungi covering the remains of bones.

The colonization and participation of necrophilous insects is considered in many works (Marchenko, 1991; Anderson, 1996; Kolev, 2014). All researchers note a gradual change in the composition of necrophilic insects during the process of decomposition and their great importance in the process of destruction of organic matter. There is also information about the peculiarities of the decomposition process and composition of insects in the European part of Russia (Marchenko, 1992; Lyabzina, 2011).

The first (initial stage) of the decomposition of dead organic matter is associated with early microbial decomposition and continues until the appearance of larvae. The first to discover animal corpses among necrobiont insects are the Diptera family. Calliphoridae. For example, flies Lucilia Caesar(L., 1758) in the forest in the summer when the weather is good, corpses are found after 40 minutes, in open space - after 20 minutes. They do not lay eggs on fresh corpses right away; only after a few hours do females of this species begin to lay eggs mainly on open areas of the skin, less often in the hair. By the end of the first stage, the species composition increases, Diptera families are found. Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, also one of the first visitors to corpses are ants of the family. Formicidae.

The second stage - “active decomposition of the corpse by insects” - is characterized by the maximum activity of colonization of corpses by necrobiont insects. First, representatives of dipterans from the river are encountered. Calliphora, Cynomya, Sarcophaga, Muscina, later representatives of the pp. are discovered. Fannia,Heleomyza,Piophilia,Sepsi. Diptera larvae make numerous holes in the corpse and, under the influence of digestive enzymes, liquefy the tissue. There are a large number of beetles from the family. Staphilinidae, obligate necrophagous carnivores (family Silphidae) and keratophagous (family Cleridae) are also common. The second stage ends with the completion of the development of dipteran larvae; its duration for large corpses is on average 22 days. In addition, M.I. Marchenko found that the duration of the second stage is not affected by air humidity, amount of precipitation and days with precipitation (Marchenko, 1992). This is due to the fact that dipteran larvae, due to metabolic heat, are able to maintain the temperature inside the corpse at a level of 40-49°C and thereby provide a certain microclimate in the habitat for their development.

The third stage of “late decomposition by insects” is determined from the beginning of pupation of fly larvae and is carried out by the larvae of carrion beetles, which destroy the remaining soft tissue. During this period, dipteran genera dominate on the corpse Piophila And Sepsi, there are flies pp. Calliphora, Cynomya, Sarcophaga, the larvae of which have completed development in cadaveric tissues. Also on at this stage a significant number of small short-winged beetles from p. Atheta, as well as larvae and pupae of keratophagous beetles from the genera Necrobia And Omosita. The stage ends with almost complete destruction of soft tissue.

The fourth stage - “microbiological decomposition of the corpse” - begins with the departure of the larvae of necrobiont beetles from the remains of the corpse and ends with the disintegration of the skeleton into individual bones. The process is based on microbial decomposition and the activity of molds. The number of insects decreases sharply and dipterans can occasionally be found.

The fifth stage is “breakdown of bone tissue.” Among the invertebrate animals, inhabitants of the soil litter, bugs, and a large number of empty puparia of dipterans were noted.

The duration of each stage varies greatly, depending on accessibility to insects, damage and environmental climatic factors. The rate of decomposition of a corpse located on the soil surface also depends on meteorological conditions (Marchenko, 1992). The conditions for heat exchange between the corpse and environment, namely its absorption of part of solar radiation, and air temperature. The timing of decomposition of corpse tissue in different seasons and in different biotopes is determined by the degree of insolation. In spring and autumn, decomposition occurs faster on slopes oriented perpendicular to the sun's rays, and more slowly on horizontal areas of the terrain. In the conditions of the North-West, the average time for destruction of the soft tissues of a corpse in autumn and spring is similar, and in the summer season the decomposition time is halved.

A.F. studied the process of decomposition of a corpse in the ground and the possibilities of determining the timing of the burial of a corpse from bone remains. Rubezhansky. In the process of decay of a corpse buried in the ground, they identified two main stages: destruction of soft tissue and destruction of bone tissue. If the first stage occurs in a period of several years, then the second (destruction of bones) is a process lasting tens, hundreds and even thousands of years (Rubezhansky, 1978). Their joint parts first rot in the soil; The shoulder blades, vertebrae, pelvic bones, hands and feet change much faster than tubular bones, but the diaphysis resists destruction the longest. The medulla inside the bone marrow canals is destroyed by microbes (Vasiliev, 2005).

Studies devoted to the decomposition and necrobiont composition of corpses in water, on the contrary, are not numerous. The stages of decomposition of corpses in the aquatic environment were proposed by J.A. Payne and E.W. King (Payne, 1972). The whole process includes six stages:

1. Fresh dive. The floating corpse begins to sink into the water and swell. In summer, this process begins on the first or second day, in autumn - on the second or third week. Of the insects at this stage, only hydrophilic beetles are found.
2. Early ascent. There is a rotting smell. The stage is short in duration.
3. The rotting of a floating corpse. It begins a day after the corpse surfaces.
4. Bloating. The stage takes a long time.
5. Floating remains. The stage lasts from 4 to 14 days and ends with the immersion of the remains.
6. Immersion of remains. The stage lasts 10-30 days. Decomposition is carried out mainly by bacteria and fungi. In dirty ponds, mosquito larvae are abundant on corpses.

Decomposition in water also occurs due to the biological component - this is a large group of invertebrate animals (Lyabzina, 2013). The process has its own characteristics, which differ significantly from terrestrial conditions, and representatives of terrestrial fauna are also included in the destruction of matter. Starting from the second stage of “early emergence”, parts of the corpse that are not submerged in water can be colonized by dipterans and lay eggs. Moreover, their activity is much higher than on corpses in ground conditions. P. beetles were also observed on some corpses. Necrodes. It was established that 102 species from 37 families take part in the process of decomposition of a corpse in water, of which 93 were found on corpses in terrestrial ecosystems (Payne, 1972).

The manual of forensic entomology (Gennard, 2007) also lists the above stages of decomposition in water. In addition, with reference to research by J.C. Giertsen points out that at a similar average temperature, the degree of decomposition of a body exposed to the open air for one week corresponds to the degree of decomposition of a body kept in water for two weeks or buried in the ground in the usual manner for eight weeks (Giertsen, 1977). . The reason for this difference in decomposition is that the rate at which the body loses heat in water is twice the rate at which the body loses heat in the open air. There is no doubt that additional research is needed to study the decomposition processes in various types reservoirs.

In addition, it must be borne in mind that the process of decomposition in water was studied directly on cadaveric material. However, in forensic medical practice, there are often cases when a person dies from drowning in water, that is, falls into the water while still alive and dies in it from mechanical aspiration asphyxia. In such cases, the first stage of decomposition (fresh immersion) will be absent, since the person is immersed in the depths of the reservoir in the process of drowning (i.e. dying).

Despite the general nature of the decomposition of a corpse, its individual characteristics are quite labile and depend on a number of factors, among which environmental conditions and the location of the corpse (in the open air, in water, in the ground) are of great importance. This undoubtedly affects the process of destruction of dead matter, which must be taken into account by forensic experts when determining the duration of the postmortem interval.

Bibliography

1. Anderson GS, Van Laerhoven ShL. Initial Studies on Insect Succession on Carrion in Southwestern British Columbia. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1996, 41(4):617-625.

2. Bornemissza GF. An analysis of arthropod succession in carrion and the effect of its decomposition on the soil fauna. Austr J Zool 1957, 24:33-49.

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