Table 3 Days 7–28 post-mortem visible changes
From: Post-mortem interval of buried homicides in Okuku, Nigeria
Day | Head & neck Visible changes | Trunk Visible changes | Limbs Visible changes |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 7 | Brownish discolouration of the structures of the head and neck region with bone exposure of the jaw | Trunk appears bloated Brownish discolouration of the hair and skin with greasy appearance Hairs remained intact Few maggot present | Rigor mortis of the limbs persisted Dark-brown discolouration with bone exposure of fore and hind limbs of one of the animals, whereas the limbs of other animals discoloured to brown with greasy skin and hairs |
Day 14 | Adipocere formation started on the ventral aspect of the neck Jaw bones became more visible Greyish discolouration of all aspects of head and neck | Adipocere formation started on the ventral aspect of the trunk Greyish discolouration of all aspects of the trunk | Bones became more visible The skin appeared greasy with adipocere formed on forelimbs Dark-brown discolouration of all limbs |
Day 21 | No visible changes Insects and fungi absent | No visible changes Putrid odour persisted Insects and fungi absent | No visible changes Insects and fungi absent |
Day 28 | No visible changes Insects and fungi absent | No visible changes Insects and fungi absent Adipocere formation progressed | No visible changes Insects and fungi absent |