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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Ahead of print publication |
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Specialist embalming of burnt bodies in Nigeria using porcine analogues: A validation study
Darlington Nnamdi Onyejike1, Darlington Cyprain Akukwu2, Soibitom Rossel Idoniboye-Obu1, Ifeoma Miracle Onyejike1, Ambrose Echefulachi Agulanna1, Ifechukwu Justicia Obiesie1, Ugochukwu Samuel Aguwa1
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| Date of Submission | 13-Nov-2022 |
| Date of Decision | 30-Nov-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 09-Feb-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 10-Apr-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Darlington Nnamdi Onyejike,
Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Anambra State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None DOI: 10.4103/njbcs.njbcs_56_22
Context: Embalming of burnt bodies requires special attention. It also requires the restoration of distorted body structures. The difficulty in embalming burnt decomposing bodies in Anambra state, Nigeria led to this investigation; and hence, this pilot study provided suitable embalming methodology and fluid required to arrest early bloat stage of decomposition of burnt bodies using porcine models (Sus scrofa domestica). Materials and Methods: Animals were sacrificed and allowed to reach the early bloat stage of decomposition before embalming. The outcome of embalming was scored and recorded as post-embalming body score (PBS). A Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between the outcome of embalming and independent variables (embalming fluid volume, duration of embalming, atmospheric temperature, room temperature, and humidity). Results: The results showed that the independent variables that statistically affected the outcome of embalming include duration of embalming, embalming fluid volume, and room temperature. The independent variables that did not statistically affect the outcome of embalming include humidity and atmospheric temperature. Conclusion: An embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol, thymol, and water is suitable to arrest early decomposing burnt bodies via the arterial embalming technique, which is supplemented by hypodermic embalming technique.
Keywords: Burning, embalming, inferno, mortuary, specialist
How to cite this URL:
Onyejike DN, Akukwu DC, Idoniboye-Obu SR, Onyejike IM, Agulanna AE, Obiesie IJ, Aguwa US. Specialist embalming of burnt bodies in Nigeria using porcine analogues: A validation study. Niger J Basic Clin Sci [Epub ahead of print] [cited 2023 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.njbcs.net/preprintarticle.asp?id=374000 |
| Introduction | |  |
Fire outbreak is a frequent occurrence mostly in the densely populated or urban areas of Nigeria.[1],[2] Fire outbreaks are mainly from petroleum products which often lead to the destruction of body morphology[3]; which in turn creates difficulty for embalmers because of severe damage of the vasculature and poor distribution of embalming fluid.[4] Restorative art is very essential to restore the burnt body structures and preserve the body from decay.[5]
A study reported that embalming decomposing bodies resulting from burning, stab wounds, accidents, drowning, etc., requires a mixture of formalin, ammonium salt, thymol, methanol, and water in order to arrest decomposition.[6] This study did not identify the decomposition stage this mixture can arrest and did not provide an experimental account of the procedures required to arrest decomposition; rather an evaluation report from six funeral homes in Anambra state. Therefore, the present study is a pilot study aimed at carrying out an experiment to investigate the efficacy of an embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol, thymol, and water on early stage of decomposition of burnt bodies using infant porcine analogues.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde. It contains 37% by weight or 40% by volume of formaldehyde gas in water which has a pungent smell.[7] Formalin enables long-term sample storage and preserves many aspects both macroscopic and microscopic which makes it very suitable for conventional gross anatomic dissection and as well as histological analysis.[8],[9] Methanol also known as methyl alcohol among other names is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odor similar to that of ethanol, which is highly flammable and toxic to humans if ingested.[10] It may be used routinely for fixing tissues because it gives good results.[9] Methanol is added to a solution of formalin in order to stabilize the solution and prevent formalin precipitation as paraformaldehyde.[11] Thymol is a naturally occurring oxygenated monoterpene phenol derivative of p-cymene found in thyme oil.[7] Thymol is mixed in an embalming fluid containing methanol to moisten the skin of cadavers,[9] and also prevent bacterial and fungal activities.[12]
| Materials and Methods | | |
Ethical approval and consideration
The ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus. The certification number is NAU/CHS/NC/FMBS/OD/303 dated 16 July, 2021. Four infant domestic pigs were approved for the study due to the mode of death (sacrifice).
Materials
The materials used for the study included 40% formalin, 10% methanol, water, and four domestic pigs.
Location of the study
This study was carried out at the Gross Anatomy laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Nigeria.
Experimental animals
The experimental animals used for this pilot study were infant domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) because of the ethical issues related to the mode of death of the animals. The animals were procured from a pig farm located very close to the study location. Animals were in healthy condition.
Experimental procedure
This study design was a single-case experimental study design. The peri-mortem and post-mortem body temperatures of the pigs were documented. Data on the observable decomposition and preservative changes of the animals were collected quantitatively by the researchers. Megyesi et al. body scoring model was modified and used to score the post embalming changes on the pigs.[13]
Animals were sacrificed via burning using petrochemical (premium motor spirit); and death confirmed when no heart beat was recorded using stethoscope and observation of the pupillary reflex. The exact time of death was recorded. Early post-mortem changes such as algor mortis, rigor mortis, pallor mortis, and livor mortis were monitored. Animals reached the early bloat stage of decomposition before they were embalmed. Studies in this region have shown that it takes about eight hours for carrions to start bloating (which is also referred to as early bloat stage of decomposition).[14],[15] Animals were embalmed via cervical arterial embalming and hypodermic embalming methods. Embalming activities were completed when all the body parts were completely fixed. Animals were re-embalmed on the fourth day and seventh day.
The atmospheric temperature, room temperature, and humidity were recorded from the time of death till the last day of the study. The post embalmment changes were monitored morning, afternoon, and night for two weeks and subsequently monitored morning and night till the end of the study. The body structures that were completely fixed were scored “1” whereas the body parts not fixed were scored “0”.
Method of data collection for daily climate readings
The thermo-hygrometer was placed on the slabs of the dissecting room and the wire extended outside the room via its window. The time was set on the equipment to GMT (+1) to ensure accuracy in documenting the readings. The lowest atmospheric temperature of the day was recorded between 3am and 7am; and the highest atmospheric temperature of the day recorded between 11am and 3pm. The lowest humidity of the day was recorded between 11am and 3pm; and the highest humidity of the day recorded between 3am and 7am.
Method of embalming
40% formalin was mixed with 10% methanol and water at equal volumes of 1000 ml each. This means that a total volume of 3000 ml was used to embalm the pigs.
Single point method of arterial embalming technique was first used via the internal carotid artery (on the neck) and was supplemented by hypodermic embalming technique in order to ensure that the embalming fluid circulated to all the burnt body parts. Later, when fungi were found on the animals, thymol crystals were crushed and added to the embalming mixture then sprayed on the animals. The thymol crystals were stirred sparingly until it completely dissolved in the mixture.
Scoring method
The researchers developed a scoring method for the completely fixed parts of the carrions post-embalming. The completely fixed parts were scored “1,” whereas the unfixed parts were scored “0”. The head and neck body structures that were scored are crown, two ears, two eyes, oral region, snout, dorsal aspect of the neck, and ventral aspect of the neck. The body structures of the trunk that were scored are tail, umbilical region, thorax, dorsal aspect of the trunk, and the anorectal region. The four limbs were scored individually.
Experimental control/precaution
Animals were procured from a farm close to the research facility in order to ensure that there was no change in body thermal condition. Animals were procured very early in the morning between 5 am and 6 am and allowed to rest and acclimatize for a period of 1 hour before sacrifice.
We avoided parallax error when reading the animal weight on the analogue weighing scale. The thermometer was cleaned with cotton wool and methylated spirit and dried after every rectal reading to ensure accuracy in data collection.
Statistical analysis
The statistical tool used for this study was SPSS IBM series version 25. The data were descriptively and inferentially analyzed and represented in tables.
Pearson correlation was used to test the relationship between outcome of embalming (represented as post-embalming body scores-PBS) and the independent variables that could affect the outcome of embalmment. These independent variables include humidity, volume of embalming fluid, duration of embalming, atmospheric temperature, and room temperature.
Duration of study
This study lasted for a period of 42 days (from July 2021 to August 2021).
| Results | | |
Body statistics of experimental animals
Result obtained from the peri-mortem body statistics of the animals showed that the animals were infants (about six weeks old). The body temperatures of the animals were at optimal levels. The body weights of the animals significantly decreased after eight hours and on the last day of the study.
Visible post-embalming changes
The first sign of post-mortem change was rigor mortis [Table 1]; [Figure 1]. This was accompanied by discharge of fecal materials and urine. Algor mortis was first observed at 30 minutes after death [Table 1]. Other visible post-mortem changes observed on the animals within the first eight hours before embalming include discharge of whitish foamy fluid from the nostril, putrid odor, presence of fly activities on the anal region, and bloating of the trunk [Table 2].
After embalming, decomposition gradually slowed down. By the fourth day, all the limbs and the neck were still decomposing; and also, some of the structures of the head and trunk were decomposing [Table 3]; [Figure 2]. By the sixth day, one of the animals was completely fixed; whereas the other became completely fixed by the eighth day [Table 4]; [Figure 3]. However, fungi activities were observed on the animals on the seventh day. Fungi activities reduced and subsequently disappeared on the 10th day. Fungi re-appeared on the animals on the 15th day and disappeared again on the 24th day. Fungal activities later re-surfaced on the 28th day and gradually spread till the last day of the study [Table 5]; [Figure 4].
Relationship between the outcome of embalming and independent variables
The dependent variable for this study is the outcome of embalmment. The independent variables for this study are the factors that could influence the rate of decomposition which in turn could affect the outcome of embalming. The independent variables include room temperature, humidity, atmospheric temperature, volume of embalming fluid, and duration after embalming [Table 6]. | Table 6: Pearson Correlation between the outcome of embalming and all the independent variables used for the study
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Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation (r = .572, n = 42, P = .001) between outcome of embalming and duration of embalming; a statistically significant strong negative correlation (r = -.621, n = 42, P = .001) between outcome of embalming and volume of embalming fluid; and a statistically significant weak negative correlation (r = -.389, n = 42, P = .001) between outcome of embalming and room temperature. However, Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a statistically insignificant very weak positive correlation (r = .176, n = 42, P = .265) between outcome of embalming and humidity; and a statistically insignificant weak negative correlation (r = -220, n = 42, P = .161) between outcome of embalming and atmospheric temperature.
| Discussion | | |
When bodies or animals are burnt, the gross features of the body including the vasculature are distorted[4]; and since arterial embalming is the commonest technique used for formalin embalming in Anambra state of Nigeria, embalming of burnt bodies pose a major challenge to morticians.[6] This study has revealed that burning can also decrease the body weight of animals. This is supported by reports which noted that burning of animals leads to reduction in body weight because of water vaporization and combustion of organic materials which releases carbon in form of carbon dioxide.[16],[17] However, there was a further decrease in body weight of the animals at the end of the study which was caused by mummification resulting from the effect of formalin on the animals. This is corroborated by a report which noted that 5% and 10% formalin-embalmed pigs mummify at a quick rate.[18]
The visible post-mortem changes showed that animals reached the early bloat stage of decomposition before they were embalmed. The post-embalming changes indicate that decomposition gradually slowed down from the second day until all the animals mummified. This validates the potency of the methodology used to embalm the animals. Formalin and methanol have been reported to be effective preservatives which prevent decomposition.[11] In addition, formalin has been reported to dry and mummify carcasses[7] and also prevent microorganisms and arthropods when used for embalming.[8],[19]
Regardless of the preservative actions of formalin and methanol, fungal activities were observed on the animals on the seventh day. Thymol was added to the embalming mixture and was sprayed on the animals the same morning the fungi were observed. The fungi started disappearing by the evening of the seventh day and completely disappeared within three days, but later re-appeared five days later (on the 15th day). The fungi gradually spread to the entire body structures of the animals, but started disappearing on the 21st day when thymol was added to the embalming mixture and re-sprayed on the animals for three consecutive days. The fungi disappeared on the 24th day. However, fungi re-appeared on the 28th day and gradually spread to the entire body structures of the animals till the last day of the study. This showed that thymol when added to the embalming mixture and sprayed on the skin of the animals temporarily prevented the fungal activities. This means that thymol would have been added to the mixture on the first day and injected arterially into the body of the animals to prevent the fungi activities rather than spraying it on the skin of animals when the fungi was visibly noticed. This is corroborated by a report which noted that thymol prevents bacterial and fungal activities when used to embalm cadavers.[12]
The outcome of embalming was not influenced by atmospheric temperature and humidity. However, the outcome of embalming was positively influenced by embalming duration; which means that as duration progressed, the animals became more fixed or mummified. The outcome of embalming was also negatively influenced by room temperature and the volume of embalming fluid. This means that lower or optimal room temperatures aid the preservation of burnt carcasses compared to higher or extreme temperatures. More so, the embalming mixture is very reliable because small amount of it is needed to arrest decomposition of the burnt animals. The constituents of this mixture have been reported by so many authors to possess strong preservative effects on decomposing bodies.[6],[8],[11],[19],[20]
| Conclusions | | |
This study has validated the effectiveness of an embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol, thymol, and water in arresting early bloat stage of decomposition of infant burnt carcasses. In addition, arterial embalming technique should be supplemented by hypodermic embalming technique when embalming burnt carrions in order to ensure that embalming fluid is successfully distributed to areas that were not treated during arterial embalming process. Hypodermic technique should also be employed as a post-management approach so as to ensure a successful outcome of embalming burnt carcasses.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this pilot study, the following can be recommended:
- Eosin dye should be added to the mixture identified in this study when embalming human cadavers in order to maintain the dermal color.
- Thymol crystals should be one of the active reagents in an embalming mixture used to arrest early decomposing burnt carcasses; and should be injected arterially instead of spraying it externally.
- To ensure accuracy in the precision of the correlation analysis, a minimum of 30 matured domestic pigs should be used to carry out this experiment; and adequate approval obtained from the animal protection index of Nigeria.[21]
- Further studies should be carried out to ascertain the effectiveness of this embalming mixture and techniques using adult (matured) domestic pigs at other stages of decomposition such as late bloat stage, active decay stage, and advanced decay.
Ethical consideration and approval for the study
The ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Anambra state, Nigeria. The certification number is NAU/CHS/NC/F
MBS/OD/303 dated 16th July, 2021.
Consent for publication
Authors enlisted in this draft article have given full consent for this draft article to be submitted under review in the Nigerian Journal of Basic and Clinical Sciences.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]
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