A study of decomposition fluid volume in thoracic cavities of decomposed bodies.

Abstract

Introduction : Decomposition fluid can be found in the thoracic cavity of decomposed bodies. However, hemothorax, suffered from stabbing, shooting or chest trauma together with decomposition fluid resulted เท uncertainty of blood volume measurement in thoracic cavity.

Purposes : To determine the volume of decomposition fluid in the thoracic cavities of decomposed bodies, in which hemothorax from stabbing, shooting or chest trauma were not the causes of death.

Design : Descriptive study.

Setting : Chulalongkorn Forensic Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

Materials and Methods : The amount of decomposition fluid volumes in thoracic cavities of decomposed bodies had been recorded. Decomposed bodies had been examined in Chulalongkorn Forensic Center and only the case without Hemothorax was conducted for 6-months, July to December 2007.

Results : The study found that during the first 24 - 48 hours after death, there were 13 bodies with an average of 49.23 ml. and 76.92 ml. of decomposition fluid in the left and right thoracic cavity respectively. During the first 48-72 hours, there were 10 bodies with an average of 88.0 ml. and 89.0 ml. of decomposition fluid in the left and right thoracic cavity respectively. Lastly, from 72 to 120 hours, there were 5 bodies with an average of 104.0 ml. and 138.0 ml. of decomposition fluid in the left and right thoracic cavity respectively.

Conclusions : Hemothorax in death body, caused by stabbing, shooting, or chest trauma, combining with decomposed fluid in thoracic cavity should exhibit greater volume than our findings. Moreover, the study found that the longer the postmortem interval, the greater the decomposition fluid volume in thoracic cavity. Average decomposition fluid volume in the right thoracic cavity was greater than the volume in the left thoracic cavity. Nevertheless, the results were not statistically conclusive as 6-month study time constraints resulted in relatively small sample size.