Diagnostic difficulties regarding the cause of death in decomposed cadavers

Abstract

The classical authors of Brazilian Forensic Medicine provide a solid basis for the study of cadaver decomposition. Their writings show that decomposition is subdivided in stages that occur in specific periods, which may overlap or have their course altered by factors ranging from the environment in which the corpse was found to its physique and comorbidities in life. With the specific objective of learning how to overcome these difficulties during investigations and necropsies, a literature review of scientific articles in the PubMed, Scielo and Scopus databases was carried out using the terms Putrefied, Cadaveric Putrefaction, Diagnosis and causa mortis. This resulted in ten articles on human corpses, published in English from 2000 to 2019. The literature showed that methods already known to researchers (namely, imaging equipment, histopathology, and chemical analysis of body fluids) can alter the deductions made prior to their use. However, despite all the assistance they offer, they do not replace the keen eye of a well-trained forensic team. On the contrary, they must work together. This reinforces the certainty that the necropsy of a putrefied corpse is indispensable.