THE DEGREE OF DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN BODIES IN RELATION TO THE DURATIONOF THE FIRE

The changes occurring during cremation were watched and documented in 15 undissected bodies to be cremated. It was found that at temperature s between 670 and 810 degrees C the body showed the ''pugilistic attit ude'' after about 10 minutes. After 20 minutes the calvaria was free f rom any soft tissue and fissures of the tabula externa could be notice d. The body cavities became visible after approximately 30 minutes, so that the organs were exposed. Forty minutes after cremation had start ed, the internal organs were severely shrunken and showed a net-like o r sponge-like structure. After about 50 minutes the extremities were d estroyed to an extent leaving only the torso which broke apart after 1 -1.5 hours. The complete incineration of a human body took about 2-3 h ours. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.