Study shows how bodies decompose indoors

ATHENS, Ohio, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've created a technique that, in the absence of bones, clothing or hair, can verify whether a body has decomposed at an indoor site.

The technique was developed by Ohio University Assistant Professor Glen Jackson. While examining the scene of a 30-year-old death, Jackson discovered adipocere -- fatty acids primarily consisting of calcium salts -- in a dry, airy building. Until then, researchers had reported finding such evidence of human decomposition only in moist, anaerobic environments.

Jackson said his findings could be useful for forensic investigators looking for evidence at crime scenes.

"From a scientific perspective, I would appreciate more knowledge being developed about human decomposition, because it can only ever be more helpful and useful, such as in cases in which a body was moved," Jackson said. "Granted, that's not a high-frequency crime, but we could put more minds at ease if we could solve more crimes using this technology."

The research by Jackson and Ohio University students Carolyn Zimmermann and Unige Laskay is detailed in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.