Estimating the Effect of Stabbing and Evisceration on Decomposition Timeline

This study aimed to evaluate the decomposition rate in pig models that were either stabbed or eviscerated. Six pigs were divided into two groups (A and B), each consisting of three pigs. After euthanizing the animals via stunning, pigs in group A were subjected to repeated stab wounds in the trunk and lower abdomen, while those in group B were eviscerated by creating semi-lunar incisions to fully expose the abdominal organs. The decomposition process was monitored over 15 days, observing signs such as swelling, color change, and tissue liquefaction. The results showed that stabbing accelerates the decomposition process by providing additional points of entry for bacteria and insects, leading to a more rapid advancement through the bloat and active decay phases. Evisceration accelerates the decay process by directly exposing internal organs to the environment, leading to rapid colonization by microorganisms and tissue destruction. The rate of decomposition in eviscerated carrions was significantly greater than in stabbed pigs, indicating the direct involvement of organ exposure. Both stabbing and evisceration play a crucial role in influencing the rate of decomposition. These findings enhance the precision and accuracy of postmortem interval estimates in forensic cases that involve severe trauma, thereby aiding investigators in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the death.

Key Words: stabbing, evisceration, decomposition, postmortem interval, forensic