Accurate interpretation of decomposition is central to forensic investigation, yet the influence of body containment materials remains insufficiently understood. Conventional polyethylene body bags are widely used in forensic and mortuary practice, but interest in more sustainable alternatives is increasing. The forensic consequences of biodegradable wrappings, however, have not been systematically tested within a comparative design. This study examined decomposition under nine conditions using a murine model (n = 27): polyethylene, PLA/PVA bioplastic, linen, cotton, jute, banana leaf, palm leaf, papyrus, and unwrapped controls. Three specimens were allocated to each treatment and deployed for 55 days in a semi-controlled outdoor setting representative of temperate UK summer conditions. Decomposition was assessed morphologically using Total Body Score (TBS) and chemically using surface pH, alongside contextual environmental monitoring. Plastics produced the most rapid early morphological progression, with polyethylene and PLA/PVA reaching TBS 19 by Day 10. Textiles showed steadier trajectories and near-neutral terminal pH values, with linen showing partial desiccation consistent with incipient mummification. Botanical wrappings generated the strongest acidification, with banana leaf and papyrus declining from pH 7.0 at Day 17 to pH 5.0 at Day 55. Exploratory multivariate analysis further suggested clustering by material type. These findings show that wrapping materials create distinct decomposition microenvironments and therefore alter morphological and chemical pathways relevant to post-mortem interval estimation, recovery practice, and the evaluation of sustainable alternatives to polyethylene.
Disha Manjunatha (Mon,) studied this question.