Table 3 Decomposition and insects associated with the pig carcasses buried at 40 and 80 cm depths.

Fresh stage

This stage had passed off on the first exhumation on day 8

This stage had passed off on the first exhumation on day 8

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Bloated stage

(a) B₄₀EF₂₀₂₂ and B₄₀EF₂₀₂₃ carcasses were in bloated stage when exhumed on 8th day of burial

(b) Carcass had become fragile

(c) Abdominal area appeared green

(d) Odor was strong

(a) On day 8 carcass showed the signs of bloated stage at the abdominal area and in complete bloated stage on day 15

(b) Skin of abdominal area had become soft and easily rubbed off

(c) Odor was strong during exhumation

(a) MS, SH and MD flies visited the carcass

(b) 1st instar larvae of the MS and SH (feeding on head and abdominal region)

(a) Adults and 1st instar of MS were feeding on the head and abdominal region, in the cavities of eyes and underneath the limbs

Active decay stage

(a) On 15 it was found that carcass B₄₀EF₂₀₂₂ entered this stage

(b) Leaching of decomposition fluid

(c) Hair started falling

(d) Disarticulation of limb bones, hooves and cloven

(e) Abdominal region deflated

(f) In case of B₄₀EF₂₀₂₂, white foam like material was observed beneath the carcass but this was not observed in the replicated study (B₄₀EF₂₀₂₃)

(a) B₈₀EF₂₀₂₂ and B₈₀EF₂₀₂₃ carcasses were found in the active decay stage on day 29 and 35 respectively

(b) Falling of hair and disarticulation of limb bones started

(c) Abdominal region deflated

(a) MS, MD, SH, SF and NR and 3rd instars larvae of MS and SH found feeding on carcass

(b) In addition, AC was found on the carcass (B₄₀EF₂₀₂₃) in the replicate study

(a) Larvae of MS found to be at pupation

(b) New 2nd and 3rd instars of MS

(c) NR, SF and AC found visiting the carcass

Advanced Decay stage

(a) This stage appeared on day 30, soft tissues have been broken

(b) Skin which was in contact with soil turned pink

(c) Cheesy order

(d) Discoloration of brown color in limbs

(e) This stage of decomposition lasted for 30 days in the previous year and for 40 days in the replicated carcass (B₄₀EF₂₀₂₃

(a) On day 50 and 65 B₈₀EF₂₀₂₂ and B₈₀EF₂₀₂₃ carcasses were found to be in the advanced decay stage

(b) Adipocere formation

(c) Odor was cheesy in nature

(d) Detachment of bones

(a) S and P species found feeding the carcass

(a) NR, SF, AC and OM found on and around the carcass

Dry stage

(a) B₄₀EF₂₀₂₂ carcass entered in dry stage in thorax (60 days) and full body (90 days)

(b) The replicated carcass (B₄₀EF₂₀₂₃) entered the complete dry stage in 100 days

(a) Total dry stage appeared in 240 days

(b) Cartilages, bones and limb detached,

Skull was also skeletonized

(a) NR, H, P and A found on the carcass

(a) A, SF and OM found feeding the carcass