Sains Malaysiana 43(12)(2014): 1873–1882
Decomposition
Process and Post Mortem Changes: Review
(Proses Pereputan dan Perubahan Pasca Kematian: Ulasan)
TEO CHEE HAU, NOOR HAZFALINDA HAMZAH, HING HIANG LIAN
& SRI PAWITA ALBAKRI AMIR HAMZAH*
School of Diagnostic & Applied Health Sciences, Faculty
of Health Sciences
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Diserahkan: 19 Januari 2014/Diterima: 25 April 2014
ABSTRACT
Decomposition is degradation process of a corpse into basic
respective constituents macroscopically and microscopically by action of
microorganisms, arthropods and scavengers. Post mortem changes could be
separated into early post mortem changes (i.e. algor mortis, rigor mortis and
livor mortis) and putrefaction stages of corpse. These changes function as
suitable indicators for determination of post mortem interval (PMI).
In this paper, different stages of post mortem changes, possible variations
such as mummification and formation of adipocere and special circumstances such
as burial condition is discussed. This article also refers to several arguments
in the different texture of adipocere and the influence of different types of
fabric in affecting the post mortem changes and formation of adipocere. This is
largely due to the property of permeability and resistance of material against
degradation process. Undeniably, decomposition process involves numerous
potential variables including burial condition, presence of clothing, potential
formation of adipocere and mummification. Hence, studies in forensic taphonomy
combined with real case scenario are crucial in understanding the nature of
decomposition and estimation of PMI with higher accuracy.
Keywords: Adipocere; burial condition; decomposition;
mummification; post mortem changes; putrefaction
ABSTRAK
Pereputan adalah proses penguraian mayat kepada bahan asas secara
makroskopik dan mikroskopik melalui aktiviti mikroorganisma, atropod dan
pembangkai. Perubahan pasca kematian dapat dibahagikan kepada
perubahan pasca kematian awal (iaitu algor
mortis, rigor mortis dan livor mortis)
dan tahap pembusukan mayat. Perubahan ini berfungsi
sebagai petunjuk yang sesuai bagi penentuan selang masa pasca kematian. Dalam ulasan ini, tahap perubahan pasca kematian yang berbeza, variasi seperti
mumifikasi dan pembentukan adipocere serta situasi tertentu iaitu keadaan pengebumian telah dibincangkan. Artikel ini juga merangkumi beberapa pendapat yang bertentangan
terhadap perbezaan antara tekstur adipocere yang
terbentuk serta pengaruh faktor jenis pakaian yang berbeza dalam mempengaruhi
perubahan pasca kematian dan pembentukan adipocere. Ini adalah disebabkan oleh tahap ketelusan dan ketahanan bahan terhadap proses
pereputan. Tidak dapat dinafikan, proses pereputan melibatkan pelbagai faktor
yang berpotensi, termasuklah keadaan pengebumian, pakaian, pembentukan adipocere dan mumifikasi. Maka, kajian dalam forensik tafonomi bersama dengan senario
kes sebenar adalah penting untuk memahami proses pereputan dan penentuan selang
masa pasca kematian dengan kejituan yang lebih tinggi.
Kata kunci: Adipocere; keadaan pengebumian; mumifikasi; pembusukan;
pereputan; perubahan pasca kematian
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*Pengarang
untuk surat-menyurat; email: drsripaah@gmail.com
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