[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.

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Case 1


Fig1.1 Marbling and skin slippage.

Marbling is a common finding usually found after at least 24 h since death occurred and is a red, green, and black discoloration that follows the vessels of the body due to the breakdown of hemoglobin. Marbling occurs when certain types of bacteria found in the abdomen “migrate” to the blood vessels, causing them to assume a purple-greenish tint. This effect gives the skin on some body parts — usually the trunk, legs, and arms — the appearance of marble (hence its name).

Skin slippage is when the superficial layers of the skin “slip” off of the body. It occurs early in decomposition, in temperate conditions usually it starts around the two to three day mark and its appearance can be varied. Usually it starts as a formation of what looks like a blister, then when the roof of the blister ruptures the skin then flops off the body. it can make the body surface that is left very slimy to the touch.

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Case 2


Fig2.1 The skin of the hand can be removed and worn like a glove to get fingerprints from a decomposing body.

This demonstrates a way to get fingerprints from a decomposing body with significant skin slippage. The skin of the hand can be removed and worn like a glove. Skin slippage, or the shedding of the epidermis from the body caused by the deterioration of the junction between the dermis and epidermis, is also associated with early decomposition processes. Many local environmental factors affect the decomposition process, including temperature, moisture, and soil chemistry, but the processes of autolysis and putrefaction are responsible for the chemical breakdown of tissues.

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Case 3


Fig3.1 Asphyxial autoerotic death due to hanging.

Asphyxial autoerotic death due to hanging. Note the “heavy leather” outfit as well as the ladder in place. The victim’s pants were open and his genitals were exposed.

Autoerotic deaths have been defined as accidental deaths occurring during individual, usually solitary, sexual activity in which a device, apparatus, or prop employed to enhance the sexual stimulation of the deceased in some way caused unintentional death. The most common methods of autoerotic activity leading to death consist of asphyxia by hanging, ligature, plastic bag, chemical substances or a combination of these.

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Case 4


Fig4.1 Body found in LA County’s high desert.

Identification of decomposed remains requires techniques such as forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, and/or DNA typing. This victim was murdered and dumped in LA County’s high desert, where animals consumed the facial tissue and hands. No further info about this case.

Forensic odontology—the scientific application of dentistry to legal matters—has become a viable asset to the law enforcement community. Today, many forensic odontologists are trained to respond to the needs of law enforcement officers, the legal profession, and forensic pathologists.

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. Frequently the face, hands and legs are destroyed by postmortem animal interference as they are unclothed and thus easily accessible.

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Case 5


Fig5.1 Body dumped in a wooded area near LA and scavenged by animals.

A body was dumped in a wooded area near Los Angeles. By the time it was discovered about 24 hours after the killing, animals had already attacked and eaten a significant amount of it. 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.

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Case 6


Fig6.1 This body was discovered in a suitcase.


Fig6.2 The body after being removed from the suitcase.

This body was discovered in a suitcase in Los Angeles. No further info. If a body has been buried or if remains have been found in a suitcase, sack, or the like, then all objects that have been used to conceal the body or for wrapping are of special interest in the investigation. With such discoveries, if found indoors, the floor, walls, and ceiling of the place should be examined for bloodstains and objects should be looked for that might be supposed to have been used in connection with the crime.

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Case 7


Fig7.1 Body found floating in the Hudson River.

This body was found floating in the Hudson River just to the west of Manhattan. The missing hands and feet are due to injuries from marine animals. No further info.

If a body is placed in water containing a large amount of bacteria, such as that from sewage effluent, decomposition is accelerated. A body in water generally decomposes more slowly because of colder temperatures and lack of oxygen. Because the body has a greater specific gravity than water, it sinks initially. Prolonged submersion in water causes a wrinkling effect around the skin of the hands and feet. The body orients itself in a head-down position that sometimes results in scraping of the forehead when it comes into contact with the rough sea floor. After a period of 3 to 4 days in warmer water and about a week in cold, the body will surface owing to the formation of gas. Sometimes the skin and tissues burst and the body sinks again to the bottom. The process may repeat itself and the body floats to the surface again.

The anaerobic nature of decomposition for wet or submerged remains may result in adipocere formation, a unique and fascinating process that results from incomplete transformation of lipids by bacteria. Insect and animal species feeding on the remains are different for submerged bodies. Postmortem predation may cause external defects that mimic injuries and should be interpreted with care. Forensic pathologists and medicolegal death investigators must be aware of the postmortem changes that may occur with submerged and immersed bodies.

Bodies that are found in the sea will often be decomposed and injured by the action of waves against obstructions or by marine predators, and blood may be washed out of the wounds. These changes may complicate the evaluation of cases. In deep waters such as ocean and sea, many small fish species feed on corpses.

Animal predation is very different in the water environment. In some cases, the body will be floating on the surface and the usual arthropod predators such as blowflies and carrion beetles will have access to exposed tissue. The immersed portion of the body will be subject to different predators. Aquatic insects may alter the appearance and condition of the remains.

Large animals such as turtles, large fish, and large crustaceans will cause tissue damage that in some cases may mimic trauma to the body. Smaller fishes, crabs, shrimp, and invertebrates prey on soft tissue and if given the opportunity can completely deflesh exposed parts of the body. Fish, turtles, and other animals may aggressively feed on remains and in the ocean environment, large carnivores such as sharks will create postmortem artifacts. It is not unusual for small fish and crustaceans to gain access to the interior of the body through skin and soft tissue defects or even normal body orifices.

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Case 8


Fig8.1 This elderly male shot himself in the right temple with a .357 Magnum and lived 1 h and 34 min without any life-support systems.

This elderly male shot himself in the right temple with a .357 Magnum. Despite the obvious devastating nature of the wound, he lived 1 h and 34 min without any life-support systems. The fact that one can survive at least for a limited time with a wound of the head that would ordinarily be thought to cause instant death is extraordinary.

An individual may sustain a fatal gunshot wound and yet engage in physical activity. Occasionally, forensic pathologists encounter cases in which an individual, after incurring a fatal gunshot wound of the heart, is able to walk or run hundreds of yards and engage in strenuous physical activity prior to collapse and death.

Just as in the case of gunshot wounds of the heart or major blood vessels, individuals can perform tasks or even survive gunshot wounds of the brain, especially if the injury involves only the frontal lobes. Numerous individuals have survived perforating gunshot wounds of the frontal lobes though there may be associated personality changes and/or blindness. In documented cases of suicide, individuals have fired a bullet through the frontal lobes, to be followed by a second, fatal intracranial gunshot wound.

In addition to a wound not immediately causing incapacitation, in some instances, individuals who have been shot do not initially realize it. This is not uncommon in combat situations, where the noise, violence, and activity so distract an individual that he may not realize that he has been wounded.

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Part 1 --- Part 2 --- Part 3 --- Part 4 --- Part 5 --- Part 6 --- Part 7 --- Part 8 --- Part 9 --- Part 10 --- Part 11 --- Part 12 --- Part 13 --- Part 14 --- Part 15 --- Part 16 --- Part 17 --- Part 18 --- Part 19 --- Part 20 --- Part 21 --- Part 22


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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.

[ride]

Herm, you are on a roll!

[Tornadolen]

Case 4 looks like Mr. C from Twin Peaks.

[yuma_okita]

Too many male dead bodies, no fun no good.

[marcos_69]

Thank you Senor Shocker.

[icehole]

Case 8
He lived long enough to regret his decision

[rohmell]

Mr. HermanTheShocker,
I always find your posts interesting and educational. I think that I speak for many when I say that we appreciate all the time and effort that you undertake in providing this content to us here on D.R.

[BiothDaSloth]

Case #8: holy shit! How that guy didn't die immediately is nothing short of amazing! For anyone who doesn't know; Budd Dwyer also used a .357 magnum.

[Caf002]

Nice work, Herman!

I always think cheese when you post autoerotic items these days!

Dang, those must have been some hungry scavengers in the one where they munched on the meaty parts!

[Shadolife]

6.2 - Beetlejuice