[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 Breasts may swell up to remarkable size during decomposition.

Moderately early changes of decomposition, showing gaseous distension of the breasts and abdomen. Skin slippage, marbling, and blistering can be seen. Gas formation will now become marked, with increased tension in the abdomen. The breasts may swell up to remarkable size and the neck and face will become grotesquely bloated, making visual identification difficult or impossible. The pressure may cause the eye globes and tongue to protrude. Purging of urine and faeces may occur due to the intra-abdominal pressure and, occasionally, a uterine prolapse may be extruded. There are recorded instances of pregnant women having a macabre post-mortem ‘delivery’ of the fetus, from the same cause.

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 the 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 decomposition of the gastrointestinal tract results in a dark, foul-smelling liquid called "purge fluid" that is forced out of the nose and mouth due to gas pressure in the intestine. The skin 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.

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Case 2


Fig2.1 Facial injury resulting from high-velocity accident.

This individual was involved in a fatal high-velocity accident resulting in facial trauma with loss of skin, soft tissue, and skeletal integrity. No further info. Trauma is a leading cause of mortality globally. Worldwide, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death between the ages of 18 and 29, while in the United States, trauma is the leading cause of death in young adults and accounts for 10 percent of all deaths among men and women.

Over 45 million people globally sustain moderate to severe disability each year due to trauma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries accounted for 1.25 million deaths in 2014, and trauma is expected to rise to the third leading cause of disability worldwide by 2030.

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Case 3


Fig3.1 The general state of nutrition and obesity can be assessed by looking at the abdomen.

Fig.3.1 Above: This patient is emaciated (cachectic). Note the green skin discolouration, which is an early sign of decomposition. Below: Abdominal distention may be due to fat, fluid, faeces, fetus, or gas. In this case it was clearly shown to be fat.

To be cachectic relates to or having the symptoms of cachexia, a “wasting” disorder that causes extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, and can include loss of body fat. This syndrome affects people who are in the late stages of serious diseases like cancer, HIV or AIDS, COPD, kidney disease, and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Central obesity is a condition where fats are accumulated around the abdominal area (stomach), known as a distended belly. The measurement method for central obesity is by using the abdominal circumference (measured right under the last joint of rib and above the belly button).

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Case 4


Fig4.1 Human blow torch - A jet of ignited putrefaction gas (methane) at the end of a needle inserted into swollen scrotum.


Fig4.2 Fffffffffffssssfffffffssssss.

The images show a jet of ignited putrefaction gas (methane) at the end of a needle inserted into swollen scrotums of decomposed bodies. As a result of putrefactive gas formation in a corpse, wounds may hiss and spit from the increased pressures in the body. Gas and fluid may be expelled forcefully from the orifices.

Rapid deep incision into a bloated abdomen may also inadvertently penetrate the underlying bloated/dilated transverse colon and small bowel and result in volcanic expulsion of chyme or feces through the incision. The anaerobic intra-abdominal gas and intrascrotal gas may be released through a large bore needle to decrease the internal pressure prior to autopsy. If lit by a torch or cigarette lighter, the escaping gas ignites into a blue flame—orange flames are more rare.

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Case 5


Fig5.1 The rapid expansion of departed hot gases from firearms can cause facial features to balloon far beyond their elastic capacity.

Notice the linear tears extending laterally from the corners of this individuals mouth after the tremendous force imparted by the expulsion of a projectile from the gun. The discharge of a weapon involves the release not only of a projectile but of hot gas under high pressure as well. If the lips are sealed around the barrel, the rapid expansion of departed gases causes the cheeks to balloon far beyond their elastic capacity. This results in the characteristic tears seen in the figures.

Fig.1 Fracture of maxilla and extensive tears around the mouth in a suicide case with a high-velocity firearm. Note the soot deposition on the lips, teeth and tongue (Institute of Forensic Medicine, Cordoba, Argentina).

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Case 6


Fig6.1 A drowning victim with lesions caused by marine predators.

The image is of a drowning victim with lesions caused by unknown marine predators. 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. The best-known scavengers that feed on corpses in deep waters are sharks.

Animal predation, including insect activity, 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 7


Fig7.1 Life is too short to skip leg day.

Kaufman County, Texas. A man, who had a history of suicide attempts, assaulted his girlfriend and fled the scene. He was on probation for a previous assault and feared that his probation would be revoked. His truck was found about 5 days later in a wooded area. He had hung himself from a tree. The victim’s body was found by cadaver dogs about 1.5 miles into an area considered the “River Bottoms.” His body was surrounded by a pack of wild dogs that were feeding off his body as a food source.

Bodies that have been mutilated by domestic and wildlife creatures or insect activity may give an appearance of gross injury, which is not necessarily associated with an ante-mortem attack. In addition, certain portions of the body may have been carried away or be missing from the cadaver due to animal activity.

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Case 8


Fig.8.1 A cadaver at an Australian body farm.

Image of a cadaver at a body farm in Australia. The body farm is the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), which was set up to investigate human decomposition under a variety of conditions to replicate crime scene scenarios. It lies in a secret bushland location on the outskirts of Sydney.

Fig.8.1 The cadaver on day 7 of decomposition, the skull of the cadaver is becoming visible under drying skin.

On the 25th of January 2017, one frozen human cadaver (Fig.1) and one refrigerated human cadaver were transported to the research site. The cadavers were placed on the ground in anatomical position and covered with lightweight wire cages. The ground below each cadaver was comprised mostly of soil, leaf litter, dead grass and sticks. The cadavers were located in an area partially covered by trees; both cadavers received a mixture of sun and shade throughout the day.

The image is taken on day 7 and advanced decomposition has started. The skull of the cadaver is becoming visible under drying skin. The cadaver is of a 77-year-old female body donor estimated to weigh 40-50 kg. It is known that she died as a result of non-small cell lung cancer (metastatic) and colon cancer. She died in January 2017 and was frozen three days following death.

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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.

[Skeletoff]

Fascinating stuff! Also, scrotal jet needle was a fun surprise

[ChristySD]

Fig7.1 Life is too short to skip leg day.

Apparently, so is the noose….too short, that is.

[swegore1986]

I always love your posts

[mickey27]

Bravo hermantheshocker your posts are fascinating

[Karma]

Thanks Herman. I can’t wait to see your informative and graphic posts.

[Craphead]

Very, very interesting compilation once again Herman, thanks a bunch for all the time you put into these. And boy if I ever saw a person the phrase "to be all skin and bones" really applied to it's the woman in the upper picture of the 3rd case.... it's amazing just how friggin skinny one apparently can become before actually dying.

[REVZZYBAN]

Where would I have to start again, Herman?
More of your rotten, nasty, vulgar, sick, gross, noxious, putrid, vile, photographs.
I really can’t think of anything else to describe what I see. I’m ready for another snort of it though.

[William May]

Originally Posted by Skeletoff ↗

Fascinating stuff! Also, scrotal jet needle was a fun surprise

You can tell the coroners don't have much else to do but mess around with the bodies.

[ride]

Big fan of your work, Herman. Do you have a fan club? Would you like one?