Assessing Postmortem Condition
Is it too gross to post? How can you tell real lesions from artifacts? In this section you will find information about how to determine postmortem condition, see images of the hallmarks signs of large and small scavengers, and much more!
How fresh is that carcass? The answer to this question will determine how much information you can potentially get from the animal and what kind of follow up exam you should potentially do. Fresh animals will be candidates for a full necropsy while code 3 or 4 animals may be better suited for a beach necropsy or simple exam. After reviewing the condition codes be sure to test your knowledge by taking the condition code QUIZ!
How do you tell a lesion or injury from damage done by scavenging? Even before an animal hits the beach scavenging by everything from sharks to birds to the neighborhood dog may cause damage to the carcass. While this is nature’s best recycling program, it can be difficult at times to tell normal scavenging from pre-mortem injury or pathological lesions.
The process of postmortem tissue decomposition is also called AUTOLYSIS ("auto"= self and "lysis"=breakdown). It is caused by a number of factors including ENZYME LEAKAGE, INSECT ACTIVITY and BACTERIAL ACTION.
Watch the stages of decomposition from fresh dead (condition code 2) to advanced decomposition (condition code 4) to skeletal (condition code 5). These images are all of California sea lions that stranded on the Central California coast. Check out the stages of decomposition for a porpoise here.
Watch the stages of decomposition from fresh dead (condition code 2) to advanced decomposition (condition code 4) to skeletal (condition code 5). These images are all of harbor porpoises that stranded in Santa Cruz, CA. Check out the stages of decomposition for a sea lion here.
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