The Effect of Body Coverings on the Formation of Adipocere in an Aqueous Environment

Stephanie J. Notter Ph.D.,

Stephanie J. Notter Ph.D.

Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

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Barbara H. Stuart Ph.D.,

Barbara H. Stuart Ph.D.

Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

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Stephanie J. Notter Ph.D.,

Stephanie J. Notter Ph.D.

Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

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Barbara H. Stuart Ph.D.,

Barbara H. Stuart Ph.D.

Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

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First published: 31 October 2011

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01943.x

Citations: 14

Additional information and reprint requests:
Barbara H. Stuart, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Centre for Forensic Science
University of Technology, Sydney
PO Box 123
Broadway, NSW 2007
Australia
E-mail: [email protected]

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Abstract

Abstract: Adipocere is a postmortem decomposition product that consists of a mixture of fatty acids. The rate of formation of adipocere from pig adipose tissue in an aqueous environment has been monitored. The effect of various clothing and carpet material types on the process was investigated. The fatty acid composition of the adipocere was determined at regular intervals using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Examination of the changes to fatty acid concentrations allowed the degree of adipocere formation in the different environments to be estimated. The study demonstrated that the rate at which adipocere forms is particularly accelerated by the presence of coverings produced from natural materials. Elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry revealed, for the most part, little change to the cations present in the adipocere formed. However, an increase in Ca concentration was observed for tissue wrapped in acrylic carpet, which was associated with a CaCO₃ additive used in the carpet manufacture.

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Volume57, Issue1

January 2012

Pages 120-125

The Effect of Body Coverings on the Formation of Adipocere in an Aqueous Environment

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