Early adipocere formation: a case report and review of literature.
Adipocere has a long history of frightening and fascinating mankind, from so called "incorruptible saints" to the famous "iceman" and its formation on human remains has long been known and feared. Adipocere formation replaces the putrefactive changes, when the body lies buried in shallow, moist, clay, soiled grave or it is thrown into cess pools or submerged in water. As the progression of putrefaction is arrested, the facial features and wounds are preserved without much alteration, thereby aiding the identification and to certain extent, the cause of death. The time required for the formation of adipocere is a subject of controversy. Here we present a case of early adipocere formation within 3 days and the review of literature pertaining to it.
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
T S
TS
Mohan Kumar
Francis N P
FN
Monteiro
Prashantha
P
Bhagavath
Shankar M
SM
Bakkannavar
D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005618:Fresh Water; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*