Adipocere--problems in estimating the length of time since death

Establishing the length of time since death is particularly difficult in corpses showing advanced autolysis. One sign of advanced decay is the formation of adipocere. In this state bodies show evidence of a partly wax-like and partly pasty condition. Continued storage ultimately results, among other things, in further decomposition due to the action of micro-organisms from the surrounding area-even if this is chronologically delayed. An exception is provided by the formation of adipocere under air-tight conditions. Initially, autolysis and heterolysis also occur, involving the release of fatty acids. As a result of the subsequent hydrogenation of the fats under the influence of bacterial enzymes, the unsaturated fatty acids are partially converted into saturated fatty acids. As the fatty acids clearly have a bactericidal effect, further bacterial decomposition is stopped at this early adipocere stage. Additional micro-organisms from outside can no longer penetrate when this hermetic seal is in place. In addition, the lack of calcium (e.g. from water or moist earth) can be a reason for the fact that further adipocere development, leading to wax-like hardening of the fat, is arrested. Thus the condition of the body can remain constantly preserved over many years and it no longer allows a reliable estimate to be made of the period of time since death.