ABSTRACT
Endogenous processes resulting in decomposition are autolysis, putrefaction and decay, whereas exogenous factors include animal predation, exposure to the elements and mechanical injury. The spread of bacteria in the veins of the subcutaneous tissue and haemolysis of red blood cells cause venous marbling of the skin. A further characteristic of putrefaction is the formation of putrefaction transudates. During putrefaction, hair and nails loosen and can easily be dislodged. Putrefaction is a bacterial process that starts with the normal microbial flora of the skin and the mucous membranes. Although autolysis, putrefaction and decomposition lead to dissolution and disintegration of the body down to its bones and tendons, the body may be preserved under special environmental conditions. The development of H. Reh’s chart for the estimation of the minimum time of immersion of a body represented real progress because definite putrefactive changes and water temperature were taken into account.
