by 
Mawgan
ANSWERS: 2
-
It all depends on the enviroment. In-soil human decomposition is comprehensively described in terms of the physico-chemical and bacterial environmental conditions. Much of the understanding comes from considerations of cemetery studies and experimentation with adipocere. The understandings are relevant for further studies in cemetery management, exhumations, forensic investigations and anthropology. In the soil, cadavers are subject to various sets of decomposition processes principally resulting from aerobic (usually the initial) or anaerobic (usually the sustaining) conditions. The presence of percolating groundwater and microorganisms further affects the rate of breakdown and fate of the products. The major human tissue components—protein, carbohydrate, fat and bone, are discussed; and the likely pathways of decomposition products enumerated. The effects of liquefaction, availability of oxygen and other in-grave processes are considered.
-
of course we all know environmental factors contribute to different rates of decay. Spending one's entire answer being pedantic about these conditions doesn't answer the question, now, does it? if the question gives no constants, make up some. While I have no experience in forensics and cadavers, my educated guesses by default become the best answers to go off, since there are no other figures present. I'd guess about three months exposed out in the open unbothered with moderate weather. and just add on months and years based on how much less oxygen there is "such as in a bog" and how much colder it is, "such as frozen in ice".
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC