putrefaction (redirected from Putrifaction)

putrefaction /pu·tre·fac·tion/ (pu?tre-fak´shun) enzymatic decomposition, especially of proteins, with the production of foul-smelling compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and mercaptans.putrefac´tive

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pu·tre·fac·tion (pytr-fkshn)

n.

1. Decomposition of organic matter, especially protein, by microorganisms, resulting in production of foul-smelling matter.

2. Putrefied matter.

3. The condition of being putrefied.

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putrefaction (pyōōˈ·tr·fakˑ·shn),

n the decomposition of protein compounds.

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putrefaction (pū´trfak´shn),

n the rotting of matter through the use of enzymes, producing substances such as ammonia, mercaptans, and hydrogen sulfide.

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putrefaction

enzymatic decomposition, especially of proteins, with the production of foul-smelling compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and mercaptans. Called also decomposition.

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infanticide Forensic medicine The active or semi-passive killing of a viable conceptus > 20 gestational wks, which breathes spontaneously. See Battered child syndrome, Child abuse. Cf Stillbirth.

Infanticide, diagnosis of  

'Hard' criteria

•  Comparison of gastric fluid composition with that of a toilet bowel-active drowning

•  Peural surfaces with petechiae Seen in induced suffocation, most significant when coupled with hematomas and petechiae on the mouth and epiglottis; the lingual frenulum may be torn and the lips bruised, indicating active attempts to suffocate infant

•  Lungs Stillbirth lungs are not aerated and do not float

•  Edematous foam on nostrils An indicator of active breathing

•  Meconium Resuscitation of a true stillborn may push meconium into the perianal region, but extensive staining of the placenta and umbilical cord is due to antenatal stress

'Soft' criteria

•  Denial of pregnancy If the woman is obese or a dullard, she may not know she was pregnant

•  Rigor mortis A finding that is poorly appreciated in neonates

•  Impression of the body in soil, blood, or fomites, requiring diligent and timely scene investigation

•  Maceration of skin A finding typical of stillbirth

•  Putrefaction Stillborns do not putrefy as they have sterile bowels

•  Umbilical cord A cut cord indicates active intervention-time undetermined; an intact cord is consistent with stillbirth

•  Determination of age Viability, most fetuses born before 18 wks of gestation die despite resuscitative efforts, age is determined by skeletal dating, antenatal studies corroborating fetal death, eg Spaulding sign of in utero death characterized by overlapping cranial bones