Fresh Stage — Autolysis Begins
Cells self-digest quietly while the body looks unchanged.
- 0–3 days: Typical duration (before bloat begins)
- 37→ambient: Core temperature (algor mortis cooling)
- 1–2 hrs: Livor mortis onset (blood pools by gravity)
- ~12 hrs: Rigor mortis peak (muscle stiffening peaks)
Algor, livor, and rigor mortis
Three early markers appear within hours of death.
Autolysis — cellular self-destruction
Enzymes leak and digest cells from within.
Microbial colonization begins
Gut bacteria start invading tissue undetected.
Warm, humid conditions can shorten this stage to under a day.
Bloat Stage — Gas-Driven Distension
Microbial gases inflate the abdomen and force fluids outward.
- High: Abdominal gas pressure (bacterial fermentation builds it)
- 3–7 days: Duration range (faster in heat and humidity)
- Cadaverine: Odor compounds (volatile amine release)
- Visible: Skin marbling (veins darken from bacteria)
Bacterial fermentation produces gas
Anaerobic bacteria ferment tissue into foul gases.
Marbling and skin slippage
Blood vessels darken as skin begins loosening.
Insect colonization accelerates
Flies lay eggs, larvae hatch within days.
High humidity speeds bloat; dry heat can skip toward mummification.
Active Decay — Liquefaction & Mass Loss
Tissues liquefy rapidly, causing the greatest loss of body mass.
- ~50%: Mass loss share (most weight lost this stage)
- 7–15 days: Duration range (heat sharply shortens window)
- Abundant: Purge fluid (dark fluid drains from orifices)
- Peak: Insect activity (maggot masses generate own heat)
Purge fluid release
Decomposition fluid drains from the mouth and nose.
Maggot mass thermogenesis
Feeding larvae raise local temperature above ambient.
Soft tissue collapse
Organs and muscle liquefy into surrounding soil.
Maggot masses can push internal temperature 10°C above the air.
Advanced Decay — Tissue Nearly Consumed
Most soft tissue is gone, leaving scattered dry remains.
- 15–30 days: Duration range (slows as tissue runs out)
- Cartilage: Remaining tissue (resistant to decomposition)
- Declining: Insect activity (food source depleted)
- Possible: Adipocere risk (forms in cool, wet conditions)
Desiccation of remaining tissue
Leftover tissue dries into leathery, resistant patches.
Adipocere formation
Body fat can saponify into waxy grave wax.
Skeletal exposure begins
Bone becomes visible at joints and extremities.
Low humidity favors mummified skin over full skeletal exposure.
Skeletonization — Decomposition Complete
Only bone remains once every soft tissue is gone.
- 30–48+ days: Duration to onset (varies hugely with climate)
- Gradual: Bone bleaching (UV and weathering lighten surface)
- Elevated: Soil nutrient pulse (cadaver decomposition island forms)
- Weeks–years: Total elapsed range (climate-dependent extremes)
Final tissue disappearance
Ligaments and cartilage finally break down completely.
Bone weathering begins
Sun and rain slowly bleach and crack bone.
Cadaver decomposition island
Soil beneath stays nutrient-rich long afterward.
Cold, dry climates can stall skeletonization for months or years.