Examination of the effects of household corrosive substances on the dissolution of complete pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses
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Abstract
As forensic techniques employed in evidence retrieval of homicide investigations constantly advance, so do the approaches taken by criminals to eliminate evidence. Caustic substance submersion has been a known method of body dispersal in homicides, and it continues to occur today in cases involving organized crime. Therefore, additional research is necessary to determine whether a complete body can be fully dissolved using caustic substances, and at what rate. Studies have been conducted on the effects of caustic substances on individual soft tissue, bone, and teeth, but never on complete remains.
The current study submerged six complete 10-15 kg juvenile pigs (Sus scrofa) in three different household corrosive substances (37% sulfuric acid, 31.45% hydrochloric acid, and 18-28% sodium hydroxide) under controlled conditions (n = 2 for each product). Fully fleshed juvenile pig carcasses without preservatives or prior freezing were used to simulate the way in which complete human remains would react to household corrosives. The goal of this project was to determine which corrosive substance could completely liquefy a body in the shortest time. Hydrochloric acid achieved complete dissolution in one week, sulfuric acid achieved complete dissolution in five weeks, and sodium hydroxide achieved near-complete dissolution in eight weeks. Certain household corrosive substances are therefore effective in complete body liquefaction.