1Prof. & Head, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Miraj, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Miraj, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra
Adipocere formation is a modified form of decomposition. In this condition the body fat is hydrolyzed and hydrogenated to saturated fatty acid. A recent study from New Delhi pointed that adipocere formation can take place in less than 2 days. The present study was undertaken to know duration for formation of adipocere in this region i.e. South-Western part of Maharashtra. This is a prospective study carried over a period of three years. Total 14 cases were found during the three year period. Amongst them, 9 were male and 5 female. Complete adipocere formation was noted in 11 cases and partial adipocere formation noted in 3 cases. 4 cases were received from river bank and nullaha/under-bridge, respectively, while 2 cases were recovered from Krishna River. The optimum conditions required for adipocere formation have been proposed to be a damp, warm and anaerobic condition.
Adipocere, Decomposition, Death, Environment, Time of Death
