[hermantheshocker]

Some of the stuff I work on doesn't make the cut so I thought about gathering them up in a single post. So basically it's images I have little or no info about or I've decided that they don't get their own thread, for example, because of low image/content quality, lack of backstory or additional info/knowledge, possibly uninteresting, only one image but not very special. I still do the usual image work including upscaling and color correction as needed, as I prefer to have my content high quality and educational.

- - -

Case 1


Fig1.1 Bulging face with protrusion of the tongue on this decomposing individual.


Fig1.2 Fig1.1 Bulging face with protrusion of the tongue on this decomposing individual.

Note the bulging face with protrusion of the tongue on these decomposing individuals, all related to the decomposition process. No further info.

Decomposition, or putrefaction, is a combination of two processes: autolysis and bacterial action. Autolysis is the breakdown of cells and organs through an aseptic chemical process caused by intracellular enzymes. Because it is a chemical process, it is accelerated by heat, slowed by cold, and stopped by freezing. Bacterial action results in the conversion of soft tissues in the body to liquids and gases. The chemicals produced as a result of putrefaction are cadaverine and putrescine, hydrogen sulfide and other sulfides, which generate a horrible smell.

Putrefaction begins immediately upon death and usually becomes noticeable within 24 hours. As soon as death occurs, the bacteria or microorganisms within the intestinal tract escape from the bowel into the other tissues of the body. As they grow, they begin to produce gases and other properties that distort and discolor the tissues of the body. The discoloration is a dark greenish combination of colors and is generally pronounced within 36 hours. As a result, the body begins to swell from the putrefactive gases, emitting an extremely repugnant odor.

The rate of decomposition depends on the temperature, ground conditions, amount of clothing, size of the body, etc. For example, a body in a warm climate will not only encourage insect attack from the outside, but will also increase the interior bacteria development and subsequent tissue attack from within. As the tissues inside are destroyed and enzymes released, the gases formed emit a foul and sickening smell.

- - -

Case 2


Fig2.1 Decomposing body of a woman discovered in a bathroom.

The decomposing body of a woman was discovered in a bathroom in Indonesia, no further info. Putrefaction begins immediately upon death and usually becomes noticeable within 24 hours. As soon as death occurs, the bacteria or microorganisms within the intestinal tract escape from the bowel into the other tissues of the body. As they grow, they begin to produce gases and other properties that distort and discolor the tissues of the body. The discoloration is a dark greenish combination of colors and is generally pronounced within 36 hours. As a result, the body begins to swell from the putrefactive gases, emitting an extremely repugnant odor.

The rate of decomposition depends on the temperature, ground conditions, amount of clothing, size of the body, etc. For example, a body in a warm climate will not only encourage insect attack from the outside, but will also increase the interior bacteria development and subsequent tissue attack from within. As the tissues inside are destroyed and enzymes released, the gases formed emit a foul and sickening smell.

Maggots cause most of the body's decomposition because the maggot will do the majority of the eating. Maggots have powerful proteolytic enzymes that aid the dissolution of tissues and facilitate penetration. The maggots are voracious and energetic, first exploring the natural passages, such as mouth and nostrils, then burrowing into the tissues. They secrete digestive fluids with proteolytic enzymes that help soften the tissues, burrowing beneath the skin, and making tunnels and sinuses that hasten putrefaction by admitting air and access to external micro-organisms. Successive waves of eggs are laid, producing new generations of maggots. Eventually, loss of tissue and drying makes the host cadaver unattractive to egg-laying insects, and the later stages of decomposition become free from maggots.

- - -

Case 3


Fig3.1 Multiple stabs on the back from the same knife, showing differing shapes and sizes.

This deceased individual has multiple stab wounds on the back from the same knife, showing differing shapes and sizes. No further info. The dimensions of the knife may be a vital part of the investigation of homicide when the weapon has been removed from the scene by the assailant. The pathologist can sometimes assist the investigators by telling them, within limits, what size and type of knife to seek. When suspect weapons are recovered, his inspection of them may indicate whether or not they are consistent with having caused the wounds in question. As always in forensic medicine, however, caution must be employed and the cardinal sin of overinterpretation avoided.

An important factor, however, must always be taken into account because, when the knife is withdrawn the elasticity of the skin causes it to retract, making the wound smaller than when the blade was in the wound. This mechanism may be amplified by contraction of the underlying muscles, which, if at right angles to the axis of the wound, may cause the wound to shorten from end to end while gaping more widely at the center. Using wound measurements to predict the size of the knife blade, one must take into account other matters, such as movement of the blade in the wound, the taper of the blade, and the depth of penetration.

- - -

Case 4


Fig4.1 This looks painful.


Fig4.2 The blisters are actually filled with vodka.

I don't know what happened here but looks like a broken ankle, the image is I think from Russia so I'm sure there's a vodka bottle there somewhere keeping him company. I'm probably in more pain just by looking at it than he is.

A broken ankle is a fracture or multiple fractures of one or more of three bones in the ankle joint: the tibia (shinbone), the fibula (outer bone of the lower leg), and the talus. Ligaments connect bone to bone to provide stability of the joints. They are commonly injured in the case of ankle sprains. They can also be injured in connection with ankle fractures. When ligaments are torn and associated with an ankle fracture, this damage can render the ankle unstable. The deltoid ligament is found on the inner part of the ankle and provides the majority of the stability of the ankle. If the deltoid ligament is torn in association with a fracture, the ankle is generally unstable. In the ankle joint or any joint in the body, two or more bones move relative to one another. There is a cushion or lining between the bones, which is called cartilage. Thinning or damage to this cushion can lead to arthritis or inflammation in the joint.

Broken ankles are usually caused by a rotational injury, where the ankle becomes twisted, turned, or rolled while walking or running, such as during sports activity. But they can also be caused by a high-force impact, such as from a fall or automobile collision. Breaks that occur suddenly, during a specific incident or injury, are known as traumatic ankle fractures. But a bone in the ankle can also break due to repetitive stress or impact over time. These are called stress fractures.

It takes about six weeks for bones to heal. It may take longer for ligaments or other soft tissues to heal as well. After surgery, patients are typically not weight-bearing for 4 to 6 weeks until the bone heals. Patients are placed on a pain management protocol that minimizes their need for opioid medications. For the first couple of weeks, patients are in a splint and are elevating the limb 90% of the day. After 10 to 14 days, the sutures are removed and patients are typically placed into a removable boot. This allows patients to start moving the ankle and to shower. At the six-week visit, X-rays are obtained. Assuming the bone is healed well, patients are then allowed to start weight-bearing and to begin physical therapy. Patients will generally have six weeks of therapy or more if required.

- - -

Case 5


Fig5.1 Postmortem animal activity by mice.


Fig5.2


Fig5.3

This old man died and was then partially consumed by some mice, I have no further info.

Postmortem animal interference of human corpses or remains is a well known phenomenon to forensic death investigators, the morphological appearance of these injuries can be misinterpreted by police officers investigating the suspected crime scene or by the consulted medical practitioner.

Determination of rodent species from the morphological appearance of damage to soft tissue and bones is often unreliable. In cases of postmortem rodent interference the appearance of distinct parallel cutaneous lacerations in the margins of damaged skin can be attributed to the animals masticatory apparatus, namely the pair of incisors.

Death investigators should be aware of the following while undertaking a detailed assessment of the scene of questioned cases of postmortem animal interference: damage is primarily caused to the exposed areas of the body, no selfdefense injuries can be found on the deceased’s body, compared to the large defects a relatively small amount of blood or the total absence of bloodstains should be expected at the scene, possibly a spoor deriving from the animal’s paws can be detected in bloodstains, an inquiry of pets living free in the house or wild animals having possible access to the scene should be conducted and a careful look for animal faeces or rodents nests should be made.

Frequently the face, hands and legs are destroyed by postmortem animal interference as they are unclothed and thus easily accessible. However there are cases where such lesions having been noted in other areas of the body which have been covered by the cloths including genitals but they are rare.

- - -

Case 6


Fig6.1 Postmortem mutilation by dogs.

This individual died and was attacked postmortem by dogs, no further info.

Postmortem animal depredation is a substantial part of the taphonomic processes a body undergoes after death. While the occurrence and presentation of such injuries are well known to forensic pathologists, the morphological appearance of these injuries may be misinterpreted by police officers or members of other investigating authorities.

A broad range of carnivores can be involved in the postmortem destruction of corpses located in open spaces or indoors (e.g. wild animals such as foxes and big cats or domestic animals such as dogs and cats). The wound margins caused by carnivores often appear more regular than those caused by rodents and V-shaped or rhomboid punctured wounds are often seen upon the intact skin in the immediate vicinity to the actual wound margins. Such stab wound-like defects represent canine tooth marks of carnivore origin. An additional criterion for animal depredation by carnivores is the presence of claw-induced linear scratch-type abrasions in the vicinity of the damaged skin areas.

In cases with postmortem animal predation, the psychological state of the animal is a possible reason for its behavior. One possible explanation for such behavior is that a pet will try to help an unconscious owner first by licking or nudging, but when this fails to produce any results the behavior of the animal can become more frantic and in a state of panic can lead to biting. The motive is not to attack the owner but is a kind of ‘‘displacement’’ behavior motivated by confusion and fear. The fact that the efforts of the animal will obviously be fruitless explains why this can easily escalate and culminate in excessive mutilation.

-

This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[yellowshoeblues]

I wish your posts were around when I was in mortuary school!

So informational and pics one usually only reads about. Keep it up

[Vixənn]

"Fig4.2 The blisters are actually filled with vodka."

[felixhelix420]

Fig 2.1:
I'd still smash.

[Craphead]

Holy crap, someone really meant business on case no. 3

[peachpie]

I had a fracture blister and it was SIGNIFICANTLY more painful than the fracture.

[Shadolife]

Damn Herman!! Don't hold back bro, these are fkn top notch! And there's some big damn mice chewing on ole' uncle Valdez, the dude with that killer porn 'stache

[Karma]

Shows mice have taste. They left that nasty moustache alone.

Great post

[rambbb]

Another great mix, H!

[deiatetofulfill]

Man my tongue is huge so I hope I go out with a whopper