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Body size is an important factor that will also influence the rate of decomposition. [22] A larger body mass and more fat will decompose more rapidly. [22] This is because after death, fats will liquify, accounting for a large portion of decomposition. [22] People with a lower fat percentage will decompose more slowly. [22]
The human body is composed of approximately: 64% water, 20% protein, 10% fat, 1% carbohydrate, 5% minerals. [1] The decomposition of soft tissue is characterized by the breakdown of these macromolecules, and thus a large proportion of the decomposition products should reflect the amount of protein and fat content initially present in the body. [4]
Timeline of postmortem changes (stages of death), with skeletonization near right side. In a temperate climate, it usually requires three weeks to several years for a body to completely decompose into a skeleton, depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, presence of insects, and submergence in a substrate such as water. [3]
A dead body that has been exposed to the open elements, such as water and air, will decompose more quickly and attract much more insect activity than a body that is buried [21] or confined in special protective gear or artifacts. [22]
In thermodynamic terms, all organic tissues are composed of chemical energy, which, when not maintained by the constant biochemical maintenance of the living organism, begin to chemically break down due to the reaction with water into amino acids, known as hydrolysis. The breakdown of the proteins of a decomposing body is a spontaneous process.
Most newcomers exit the water after around two to three minutes, but others can stay in for 15 minutes or even 30 minutes depending on their body tolerance, Rain said.
An alkaline hydrolysis disposal system at the Biosecurity Research Institute inside of Pat Roberts Hall at Kansas State University. Alkaline hydrolysis (also called biocremation, resomation, [1] [2] flameless cremation, [3] aquamation [4] or water cremation [5]) is a process for the disposal of human and pet remains using lye and heat; it is alternative to burial, cremation, or sky burial.
Maceration is a form of controlled putrefaction, a stage of decomposition in which the proteins of the body's cells are broken down and consumed by bacteria in anaerobic conditions. The temperature is usually maintained at a constant optimal temperature in an incubator .