noun
- A waxy, grayish substance formed from the decomposition of animal fats in dead bodies, especially in moist or anaerobic conditions.
Usage: technical; forensic pathology; also called grave wax
Examples
- The forensic pathologist identified adipocere on the remains, indicating the body had been buried in wet soil for several months.
- Adipocere formation is common in bodies recovered from waterlogged graves or swamps.
- The presence of adipocere can help investigators estimate the postmortem interval.
- In humid conditions, adipocere may develop within weeks of burial.
- The waxy adipocere coating preserved some of the soft tissue from further decay.