STAGES  OF DECOMPOSITION

The process of decomposition has been divided into the following four stages :

1Fresh stage: This stage began at the moment of death and ends when bloating is   evident.

2 Bloated stage: Gases produced by metabolic activity of anaerobic bacteria cause a slight inflation of the abdomen. This stage begins when gases start to accumulate in the carcass and ends when body deflates.

3 Active decay stage: This stage begins when bloating finishes. The onset of this stage is marked by the deflation of the carcass. The skin is broken due to growing up dipteran larvae.The greatest percentage of biomass is removed during this stage as a result of the maggot feeding masses. The end of this stage is marked by the larval Diptera migration before pupation.

4ºAdvanced decay stage: This stage began when the last diptera larvae depart from the carrion; much of the flesh is removed. The carcass consisted of dry skin, cartilage, and bones. Dermestid beetles feed on dried tissue.

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