Skeletonization (forensics)
Encyclopedia
In forensics, skeletonization refers to the complete decomposition
of the non-bony tissues
of a corpse, leading to a bare skeleton
. In a temperate
climate
, it usually requires three weeks to several years for a body to completely decompose into a skeleton, depending on factors such as temperature, presence of insects, and submergence in a substrate
such as water. In the tropics, skeletonization can occur in weeks, while in tundra
areas, skeletonization will never occur if subzero temperatures persist. Natural embalming
processes in peat bogs or salt desert
s can delay the process indefinitely, sometimes resulting in natural mummies.
The rate of skeletonization and the present condition of the corpse can be used to determine the time of death.
After skeletonization has occurred, if scavenging animals do not destroy the bones, the skeleton of mid to large size mammals such as humans takes about twenty years to be completely dissolved by the acids in many fertile soil
s, leaving no trace of the organism. In neutral pH
soil or sand, the skeleton will persist for at least several thousand years before it finally disintegrates. Infrequently, however, the skeleton can undergo fossil
ization, leaving an impression of the bone that can persist for millions of years.
Decomposition
Decomposition is the process by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of matter. The process is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biome. Bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death...
of the non-bony tissues
Tissue (biology)
Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...
of a corpse, leading to a bare skeleton
Skeleton
The skeleton is the body part that forms the supporting structure of an organism. There are two different skeletal types: the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, and the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside the body.In a figurative sense, skeleton can...
. In a temperate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
, it usually requires three weeks to several years for a body to completely decompose into a skeleton, depending on factors such as temperature, presence of insects, and submergence in a substrate
Substrate
Substrate may mean:*Substrate , Natural stone, masonry surface, ceramic and porcelain tiles*Substrate , the material used in the bottom of an aquarium*Substrate , the material used in the bottom of a vivarium or terrarium...
such as water. In the tropics, skeletonization can occur in weeks, while in tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
areas, skeletonization will never occur if subzero temperatures persist. Natural embalming
Embalming
Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for public display at a funeral. The three goals of embalming are thus sanitization, presentation and preservation of a corpse to achieve this...
processes in peat bogs or salt desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
s can delay the process indefinitely, sometimes resulting in natural mummies.
The rate of skeletonization and the present condition of the corpse can be used to determine the time of death.
After skeletonization has occurred, if scavenging animals do not destroy the bones, the skeleton of mid to large size mammals such as humans takes about twenty years to be completely dissolved by the acids in many fertile soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
s, leaving no trace of the organism. In neutral pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
soil or sand, the skeleton will persist for at least several thousand years before it finally disintegrates. Infrequently, however, the skeleton can undergo fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
ization, leaving an impression of the bone that can persist for millions of years.