Journal Published Online: 10 March 2004
Volume 49, Issue 3

A Preliminary Investigation of the Stages of Adipocere Formation

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Adipocere is a postmortem decomposition product which forms from a body's adipose tissue. This study aimed to chemically demonstrate the process of conversion from adipose tissue to adipocere. Samples of adipocere were collected from pig cadavers that were allowed to decompose for varying intervals. Samples of soil were collected from beneath the cadavers and analyzed to determine the leaching effect of adipocere. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to quantify the fatty acid composition of pig adipocere. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used as a confirmatory test and to identify other components such as triglycerides and calcium salts of fatty acids. The study demonstrates the process of adipocere formation and the stages of formation through which the process passes using chemical techniques.

Author Information

Forbes, SL
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Australia
Stuart, BH
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Dadour, IR
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Australia
Dent, BB
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2002230
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2002230