Adipocere is caused by fat saponification, which is associated with yellow-white discoloration. The face demonstrates distortion of features, sloughing of the epidermis, and hardening of the subcutaneous adipose tissue associated with yellow-white discoloration. Fat saponification is the postmortem chemical conversion of body fat into a waxy, soap-like substance. It occurs when triglycerides in fatty tissues react with moisture and alkaline conditions, typically in damp, oxygen-poor environments such as water or moist soil. This process can preserve body shape and soft tissues for months or even years, hindering decomposition. Adipocere appears grayish-white, crumbly, or greasy, and resists bacterial decay. It’s common in buried or submerged bodies and provides forensic clues about the postmortem interval, environmental conditions, and body positioning at the time of decomposition.
Fig.1 Adipocere formation on face.
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