Modern Method of Commercial Embalming of Poisoned Decomposing Carcasses in Nigeria

Abstract

Certain poisons speed-up the rate of decomposition of carcasses, and this has become a cause of concern to embalmers because of the difficulty in embalming such carcasses. Therefore, a suitable modern embalming method has been discussed in this study in order to abate, slow and even halt further decomposition of bodies as a result of poisoning. The study was carried out to validate the effectiveness of an embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol and water on early decomposing poisoned bodies. Four domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were used for this experiment. Animals were sacrificed and allowed to reach the early stage of decomposition before embalmment. Arterial embalming technique was employed which was supplemented by hypodermic embalming technique. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the outcome of embalming and the independent variables such as volume of embalming fluid, humidity, room temperature, atmospheric temperature, and duration of embalming. The visible post embalming changes showed that decomposition was arrested on the eighth day, which was followed by mummification of the animals. The Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically significant strong positive correlation between outcome of embalming and duration of embalming; a statistically significant moderate negative correlation with volume of embalming fluid; and a statistically significant moderate negative correlation with room temperature. An embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol and water in equal proportion is suitable for arresting early decomposition of poisoned bodies using arterial and hypodermic embalming techniques.