On Monday 15th July the Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin revealed they had arrested the main suspect in the Kware killings.
The killer allegedly started with his wife before he moved to other unsuspecting women.
The man confessed that he has been killing people since 2022 and so far he had killed at least 42.
This story has led to mixed reactions on social media platforms questioning the suspect's confession of conducting the killings since 2022 yet the bodies that have been found haven't decomposed.
Talking about the decomposition of dead bodies let's look briefly at the stages and approximate number of days it takes for a body to decompose completely.
Fresh Stage (0-2 days)
Autolysis: Immediately after death, cellular enzymes begin to break down cell membranes and structures due to the lack of oxygen. This stage is not visibly apparent but marks the beginning of decomposition.
Early Putrefaction (2-4 days)
Initial Bloat: Bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract begin to spread throughout the body, breaking down tissues and releasing gases such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia. The body begins to bloat noticeably.
Active Decay (4-10 days)
Advanced Putrefaction: This stage sees the rapid breakdown of tissues and organs due to bacteria and enzymes. The body's color changes to greenish and purplish hues. Strong odors become apparent due to gases and byproducts of decomposition.
Advanced Decay (10-20 days)
Black Putrefaction: Most soft tissues and organs have decomposed. The body deflates and begins to dry out. Fluids and gases continue to escape, leaving behind a dark, wet appearance.
Post-Decay (20-50 days)
Dry Decay: The body continues to dry out, leaving behind mostly skeletal remains and some desiccated tissue. The skin and remaining tissue may appear leathery and dark. Insects and scavengers may have consumed the remaining soft tissues.
Skeletonization (50 days to years)
Remains: Eventually, only bones, cartilage, and dried skin remain. The timeline for complete skeletonization varies widely depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and the presence of scavengers.
Factors Influencing Decomposition:
Temperature: Higher temperatures accelerate decomposition, while colder temperatures slow it down.
Humidity: Moisture aids in decomposition by facilitating bacterial activity.
Insects and Scavengers: They can significantly accelerate decomposition by consuming tissues and spreading bacteria.
Burial Environment: Whether the body is buried (anaerobic conditions) or exposed (aerobic conditions) affects decomposition rates.
Access to Oxygen: Anaerobic decomposition (without oxygen) typically occurs in buried bodies, leading to different decomposition patterns compared to bodies exposed to air.
