Information for Writers: The Body After Death
This blog post was part of a recent, larger post which may be found here in its full format: The Real Horrors of Medicine and Death: Essential Facts for Horror Writers.
It has been requested that I create an abridged version containing only the parts from that original post which highlight the various stages a body undergoes after death.
With this new, more concise and focused post, the information regarding the body after death may more readily be found by writers requiring these facts as part of their research.
This information is particularly useful for fiction writers in the horror, thriller or crime genres but any writer may find it both informative and enlightening.
The Macabre Mechanics of Death
Understanding what happens to the human body during and after death can provide rich, gruesome details for your horror scenes.
Algor mortis
– Description: The cooling of the body. As the body no longer produces heat, it gradually equilibrates with the ambient temperature.
– Timeline: Begins immediately after death. Our normal body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F). If the ambient temperature around a corpse is less than that, it usually takes between 18 and 20 hours for the corpse’s temperature to decrease to match the outside temperature.
This cooling rate can provide forensic pathologists with an estimate of the time of death, typically occurring at about 0.83°C (1.5°F ) per hour under normal conditions. However, factors such as the environment, clothing, body size, and weather conditions can influence this rate. Algor mortis is an important parameter in forensic investigations, offering crucial clues in the determination of the postmortem interval.
– Horror Potential: Use this to describe the coolness of the body and even how long the person may have been dead.
Pallor mortis
– Description: Paleness of the skin that occurs almost immediately after death due to the cessation of blood circulation. The lack of capillary circulation results in the skin losing its pinkish hue and turning pale or ashen.
– Timeline: Typically becomes noticeable within 15 to 30 minutes after death.
– Horror Potential: Use this to describe the loss of skin colour in a fresh corpse. Pallor mortis is often used by forensic pathologists as an early indicator of death, although its timing can vary based on factors like ambient temperature and the individual’s skin colour.
Livor Mortis
– Description: The settling of blood in the lowest parts of the body, causing a purplish-red discoloration of the skin.
– Timeline: Starts 20 minutes to 3 hours after death and becomes fixed after 6-12 hours.
– Horror Potential: The sight of a body with dark, blotchy skin can be disturbing and indicative of how long the character has been dead.
Corneal opacity
Description: The clouding or loss of transparency of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.
-Timeline: About two hours after death, the cornea becomes hazy or cloudy, turning progressively more opaque over the next day or two.
– Horror Potential: The foggy, almost white appearance of the eyes after death can be shocking to look at. Think of the hazy eyes apparent in the eyes of many zombies on TV and in movies.
Rigor Mortis
– Description: The stiffening of muscles after death due to chemical changes in the muscles.
– Timeline: Begins 2-6 hours after death, peaks at 12 hours, and dissipates after 48-72 hours.
– Horror Potential: Use this to describe the eerie stiffness of a corpse found in an unnatural position.
Decomposition
Stages:
1. Autolysis: The body’s own enzymes begin to break down tissues.
2. Bloat: Gas produced by bacteria causes the body to swell.
3. Active Decay: Tissues liquefy and organs break down.
4. Skeletonization: Only bones and possibly some hair remain.
– Horror Potential: Describing the stages of decomposition can add a layer of gross-out horror. For example, “The body lay bloated and grotesque, the skin stretched tight over a gas-filled torso.”
How to Use This in Your Writing
– A character stumbling upon a corpse in different stages of decomposition can add a visceral, unsettling element to your story.
– Describing the effects of rigor and livor mortis can provide clues to the time of death and the circumstances surrounding it.
Conclusion
Incorporating accurate and detailed medical facts into your horror writing can elevate your story, making it more immersive and terrifying for readers.
So, the next time you craft a horror tale, delve into these medical horrors to give your readers a truly unforgettable experience.
© Colin Lawson Books