Methodological proposal for the forensic approach of cadavers in a state of adipocire

Authors

  • Juan Manuel Guerrero Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia
  • Carlos Villalobos Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia
  • Aníbal Isrrael Navarro Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia
  • César Sanabria Medina Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60007/antistio.4556

Keywords:

adipocire, forensic medicine, forensic anthropology, decomposition, multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

Adipocire has been defined as a complex decomposition phase of soft tissue that is characterized by presenting variation of colouring in-between greyish and yellowish, a soft and greasy texture, and because of its capacity of preserving different types of evidence. Although, multiple researches developed in the last century have allowed to understand that it’s formation is related to taphonomic characteristics that imply environmental conditions - like warm temperatures, high humidity, alkaline soils, and anaerobic conditions- nowadays it has not been possible to establish with certainty when the process began and it’s stages of development.

Given the high frequency of cadavers in adipocire state of decomposition that are analyzed in the Colombian National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF), we present a methodological proposal for the forensic approaching of these cases, with the purpose to optimize the appropriate report and preservation of the evidence that appears in each process. This proposal suggests mainly human and physical resources, methods and general aspects that need to be taken into account to avoid potential omissions related with the process of the identification and trauma analysis and other osteológical alterations.

Author Biographies

Juan Manuel Guerrero, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia

B.Sc. Grupo Nacional de Patología Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.

Carlos Villalobos, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia

B.Sc. Grupo Nacional de Patología Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.

Aníbal Isrrael Navarro, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia

M.D. Grupo Nacional de Patología Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.

César Sanabria Medina, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses. Bogotá, Colombia

Ph.D. Grupo Nacional de Patología Forense, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Bogotá, Colombia.

References

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How to Cite

1.
Guerrero JM, Villalobos C, Navarro AI, Sanabria Medina C. Methodological proposal for the forensic approach of cadavers in a state of adipocire. Antistio Rev. Cient. INMLCF Colomb. [Internet]. 2013 Aug. 31 [cited 2025 Dec. 5];1(1):71-80. Available from: https://revistasforensesmedicinalegalgovco.biteca.online/index.php/an/article/view/4556

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Published

2013-08-31

Issue

Section

Tema especial: búsqueda e identificación de personas desaparecidas