ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1974
Page Count: 6

Fallacies in the Signs of Death
Burton, JF
Chief Medical Examiner of Oakland County, Mich.

(Received 3 August 1973; accepted 21 November 1973)

Abstract

Philosophers of old and great men of medicine have recorded changes in the human body for thousands of years (circa 2600 B.C.). One of the better known references to postmortem decomposition is recorded in the Bible: It was Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Martha and Mary, who was one of the first “stinkers.” Jesus said “Take ye away the stone.” Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, by this time he stinketh for he hath been dead four days” (John 11:39).

Keywords:

Paper ID: JFS10207J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10207J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.