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Table 3 Duration of body underground, condition of body on exhumation, and cause of death

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

  1. Others include a case each of stab wounds, multiple rib fractures, cervical vertebrae fracture, and a case of tied up with thick rope, dumped in a sac bag, and buried head down