The images show a jet of ignited putrefaction gas (methane) at the end of a needle inserted into swollen scrotums of decomposed bodies. As a result of putrefactive gas formation in a corpse, wounds may hiss and spit from the increased pressures in the body. Gas and fluid may be expelled forcefully from the orifices.
Fig.1
Rapid deep incision into a bloated abdomen may also inadvertently penetrate the underlying bloated/dilated transverse colon and small bowel and result in volcanic expulsion of chyme or feces through the incision. The anaerobic intra-abdominal gas and intrascrotal gas may be released through a large bore needle to decrease the internal pressure prior to autopsy. If lit by a torch or cigarette lighter, the escaping gas ignites into a blue flame—orange flames are more rare.
Fig.2
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