The Role of Some Drugs in Modulating Corpse Decomposition Rate: A Medicolegal Perspective

Document Type : Review Article

Author

Department of pharmacology and toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Egyptian Chinese University

Abstract

Drugs can greatly affect the speed and manner of corpse decomposition; this process is a crucial ecological function that impacts nutrient cycling, energy flow, and ecosystem dynamics, which in turn affects forensic analyses. Variations in decomposition rates caused by drugs can complicate estimations of the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI). Forensic investigators must consider the presence of drugs and their potential consequences when analyzing the decomposition stages, as certain substances can alter the body's physiological and biochemical state, thus affecting decomposition. The type of drug, its dosage, and interactions with environmental elements all influence these results. The increase in drug-related deaths has affected medico-legal death inquiries. This examination investigates the ways in which particular medications and recreational substances affect decomposition processes, the mechanisms involved, and the consequences for forensic taphonomy. Comprehending these effects helps enhance the precision of post-mortem interval (PMI) assessments and offers vital insights in legal medicine cases. This examination looks into the phases of decomposition and the medications affecting this process.

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Translational Health Sciences
Volume 1, Issue 1
February 2025
Pages 75-83

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