From: Exhumations: rarely done procedure but useful in many circumstances—a review of 47 cases in Nigeria
Variable | No of cases | Percentage |
Condition of body before burial | ||
Embalmed | 6 | 12.8 |
Not embalmed | 37 | 78.7 |
Not sure | 4 | 8.5 |
Duration of body in the ground (available for 32 cases) | ||
1–6 days | 1 | 2.1 |
7–13 days | 5 | 10.6 |
14–21 days | 6 | 12.8 |
22–49 days | 16 | 34 |
50–84 days | 3 | 6.4 |
85–180 days | 1 | 2.1 |
> 180 days | 1 | 2.1 |
Unknown duration | 14 | 29.9 |
Condition of body | No of cases | Percentage (%) |
Moderate to severe decomposition | 17 | 36.2 |
Bony remains | 16 | 34.0 |
Mild decomposition | 11 | 23.4 |
Charred body | 2 | 4.3 |
Fresh | 1 | 2.1 |
Facial recognition | ||
Possible | 12 | 25.5 |
Not possible | 35 | 74.5 |
Manner of death | ||
Homicide | 18 | 38.3 |
Natural | 6 | 12.8 |
Accident | 5 | 10.6 |
Suicide (by hanging) | 1 | 2.1 |
Undetermined | 17 | 36.2 |
Homicide cases | ||
Skull fractures | 10 | 55.6 |
Rifle gunshot | 3 | 16.7 |
Shot gun | 1 | 5.5 |
Others | 4 | 22.2 |
Accident | ||
Fire explosion | 3 | 60 |
Electrocution | 1 | 20 |
Road traffic accident | 1 | 20 |