Lateralized hypostasis of the head on post mortem CT (PMCT) scanning of decomposed bodies—a marker for terminal position

Abstract

Post-mortem CT (PMCT) scanning was performed on the bodies of two decomposed adult males who had died of natural causes. The bodies both showed changes of marked decomposition with a prominent swelling of tissues on one side of the head compared to the other. A review of police statements confirmed that this matched the positions of the bodies when they were found. Thus, post-mortem hypostasis of putrefactive fluids correlated in both cases with the positions that the bodies had been in when first located. This may be a simple way of identifying or confirming the positions of decomposed bodies after death. It may also assist in indicating whether a body has been moved after putrefactive fluid hypostasis has developed.