Unexpected movements in the dead: New insights for forensics
The human body can move after death, even several months post-mortem. This discovery might be significant for people conducting autopsies.
1 November 2024 15:33
While it may seem that science has unearthed all the secrets related to the processes occurring in the body post-mortem, Alyson Wilson’s discovery offers intriguing and surprising insights. Although it might appear trivial to some, her research could provide valuable information for those dealing with post-death examinations.
According to the AFP agency's portal, the movement of bodies after death can mislead autopsy professionals. Wilson's research findings may, therefore, greatly assist in identifying missing persons and matching them to unidentified bodies. Subtle shifts in the position of bodies can suggest a different scenario of death than what occurred.
Research at the "body farm"
Wilson owes her discoveries to filming bodies using cameras. She conducts her work at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), also known as the "body farm." This site's location is a secret and remains officially undisclosed.
Wilson documented the decomposition processes of bodies at intervals of every 30 minutes over 17 months (approximately 520 days). She observed that, for instance, the arms of corpses, initially positioned away from the body, gradually moved closer to the torso. During an interview with ABC News, she highlighted that these movements could be observed over an extended period.
Wilson hopes her research will help reduce the number of missing persons not previously associated with unidentified bodies. By understanding the movements of bodies post-mortem, the number of erroneous diagnoses regarding causes of death can also be reduced. This could lead to fewer mistakes in interpreting crime scenes and sequences of events.
New theories on brain activity post-mortem
The research team also re-examined human brain activity following death. Until recently, it was commonly accepted that the brain ceases to function within 2-3 seconds after death. This complicates attempts to develop a method for head transplants. However, new studies suggest this process might occur differently, thus presenting new theories.
