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Clinical death is the term used to describe the complete failure or cessation of all vital bodily functions. The heart stops pumping, the lungs no longer breathe, the brain ceases to function, and the brain stem shuts down. Death takes on many forms—whether it’s the result of an unfortunate medical condition, a sudden accident, or even a planned and deliberate act by a troubled individual—death is inevitable. Every day, about 150,000 people pass away globally.
Death is an unavoidable part of life, something every person will eventually experience. Below are the 10 most fascinating stages the body undergoes shortly after death when it is left to naturally decompose (without preservation methods like embalming). Much of this knowledge comes from studies conducted at university-run “body farms” by forensic anthropologists, who aim to advance the field of forensic science. This research plays a crucial role in solving crimes, including resolving cold cases. As many of you already know, J. Frater is drawn to the darker, more unusual subjects. While morbid, this is also a natural process.
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10. The Moment of Death
The heart ceases to beat, the body trembles, and the individual starts taking short, irregular breaths. As circulation halts, the ears become cold. Blood becomes acidic, and the larynx loses its ability to trigger a cough reflex. This leads to a buildup of mucus, and as air passes through the mucus during spasms, a gurgling or rattling sound is produced, commonly referred to as the “death rattle.” The lungs fail, and the brain ceases activity. However, if the brain stem remains active, the body still has the potential for healing and performing essential functions.
9. 0 Minutes
Clinical death occurs when the brain is no longer receiving oxygen. The brain’s death leads to the shutdown of other critical bodily functions, including the circulation of blood throughout the body and extremities. Pallor mortis, a paleness of the skin, quickly sets in due to the lack of circulation. The pupils take on a glassy appearance, and the body’s temperature begins to drop slowly as oxygen levels deplete. This may explain why crime dramas often feature a killer lowering the thermostat to cool the body, creating a false timeline for investigators.
8. 1 – 9 Minutes
As blood begins to pool in the body, a discoloration known as livor mortis forms, typically a reddish-blue hue. Muscles relax, causing the bowels and bladder to empty. Brain cells begin to die rapidly, and liquefaction sets in. The pupils dilate, becoming unresponsive to light and taking on a cloudy appearance, caused by the breakdown of potassium in the red blood cells. This process may take up to 3 hours, but since many people die with their eyes open, it often happens within that period. Some forensic experts believe that the cloudiness of the pupils may provide a more accurate estimate of the time of death than rigor mortis or livor mortis. The eyeballs flatten as blood pressure drops. At the end of this stage, the brain stem dies.
7. 1 – 8 Hours
Rigor mortis begins to take hold as the muscles stiffen and the hair appears to rise. This process occurs due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, leading to rigidity in the tissue. The seemingly increased length of the hair after death is caused by the stiffening muscles pushing on the hair follicles. After four to six hours, rigor mortis spreads more extensively throughout the body. Blood that has pooled in the body begins to stain the skin with a dark, almost black hue. After six hours, muscle spasms continue intermittently. Anaerobic processes, such as the liver's breakdown of alcohol, continue. By eight hours, the body begins to cool rapidly, a process known as algor mortis. Unlike the initial cooling, this stage involves a much faster drop in body temperature.
6. 1 – 5 Days
Rigor mortis dissipates at the start of this stage, causing the body to regain flexibility. If the body is discovered and presentable, undertakers can position it for viewing, adjusting the body for funeral presentation (such as folding the hands). Between 24 and 72 hours, internal bacteria begin to break down the intestines, and the pancreas starts to digest itself, liquefying the internal organs. In 3 to 5 days, decay leads to the formation of large blisters across the body. If the body is discovered at this stage, it is likely too decomposed to be displayed at a funeral. Bloody foam may begin to seep from the mouth and nose.
5. 8 – 10 Days
Bacteria in the intestines begin to feed on decaying tissue, producing gases that cause the abdomen to swell. This process, known as the bloat stage, leads to the release of a strong odor as the body undergoes this stage of decomposition. The swelling of tissues in the neck and face forces the tongue to protrude from the mouth, making identification difficult if the body is discovered during this phase. The buildup of gases also pushes any remaining waste out of the body, which can result in an expulsion of fluids. As the red blood cells break down, the body changes color from red to green.
4. 2 Weeks
The hair, nails, and teeth begin to detach easily. Skin slippage becomes common during this stage, making it challenging to move the body if discovered in this condition. If the teeth fall out, it’s fortunate if they stay close to the body, as they may be one of the few ways to identify the deceased at this point. The skin becomes loose and glove-like, slipping off the decaying muscle and connective tissue beneath. Buffalo Bill, a character from The Silence of the Lambs, would have benefited from waiting for this stage to create his “woman suit,” saving him much effort and materials.
3. Circa 1 Year
Over this time period, depending on environmental conditions, scavengers like hyenas, large birds of prey (vultures, bald eagles, etc.), raccoons, and opossums may reduce the body to bones and other hard fragments. Teeth, being the most durable part of the body, often survive even when bones erode, making them valuable for identification. At this stage, most bodies must be identified using dental records. If available, DNA can also be extracted from the teeth or bones to confirm the identity.
2. Several Months
As the mummification process nears completion, the body’s fat begins to break down, transforming into a crumbly, white, waxy substance called adipocere, or “grave wax.” At this stage, the foul odor of decaying flesh significantly diminishes. In the 17th century, it was believed that some individuals used this adipocere to create candles for the mummy’s vigil. If the body is found during this stage, the presence of adipocere can help preserve the body’s features, including the face, and even reveal wounds or injuries that might have contributed to the death.
1. 1 Month
Depending on environmental factors, the skin starts to either liquefy due to internal gases or dry out. I wonder if Jeffrey Dahmer ever made liquefied skin soup. Insects, especially blowflies, are among the first to arrive, feeding on the body and aiding in the breakdown of the skin. In fact, forensic entomology, the study of insect activity, is a popular method in crime dramas to help estimate the time and place of death. If the conditions are right, the body may dry out instead of liquefying, undergoing a process called butyric fermentation or mummification. A body is considered mummified when all of the internal organs have been consumed by the feeding insects.
