Citation: Darlington Cyprain Akukwu et al (2022). Embalming of Early Decomposing Strangled Homicides in Anambra State, Nigeria: A Validation Study. Sch Int J Anat Physiol, 5(5): 83-92. 83 Scholars International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology Abbreviated Key Title: Sch Int J Anat Physiol ISSN 2616-8618 (Print) |ISSN 2617-345X (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com Original Research Article Embalming of Early Decomposing Strangled Homicides in Anambra State, Nigeria: A Validation Study Darlington Cyprain Akukwu 1 , Darlington Nnamdi Onyejike 2* , Chiamaka Mercy Iwuala 2 , Ifeoma Miracle Onyejike 2 , Somadina Nnamdi Okeke 2 , Ambrose Echefulachi Agulanna 2 , Emmanuel Nzube Ezenwatu 2 , Emeka Ambrose Okubike 2 , Gloria Chinenye Ojemeni 2 , Ugochukwu Samuel Aguwa 2 1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Imo state University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria 2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria DOI: 10.36348/sijap.2022.v05i05.001 | Received: 17.04.2022 | Accepted: 13.05.2022 | Published: 24.05.2022 *Corresponding author: Darlington Nnamdi Onyejike Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria Abstract Formalin is one of the commonest embalming fluid used in modern embalming. Methanol can also be mixed with formalin in order to prevent the precipitation of formaldehyde to paraformaldehyde. Methanol is also a good preservative. Strangled bodies remain one of common homicides received at funeral homes in Anambra state, Nigeria. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to observe the early decomposition activities in Anambra state; use an embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol and water to arrest it; and document the techniques used to achieve it. Therefore, four infant pigs were used for this study. They were sacrificed and allowed to reach the early stage of decomposition before embalming. The results showed that outcome of embalming is influenced by the embalming mixture used, duration of the embalming, and the room temperature of the morgue were the embalmed bodies were stored after embalming. The results also showed that atmospheric temperature and humidity does not influence the outcome of embalming. In conclusion, the methodology for arresting early decomposition of strangled homicides is by arterially injecting an embalming mixture containing formalin, methanol, water and dye; and also supplementing this technique with hypodermic embalming technique. Keywords: Commercial embalming, Embalming of decomposing bodies, Embalming homicides, Embalming of strangled bodies, Funeral services, Modern embalming science, Specialist embalming. Copyright © 2022 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION Strangulation is one of the commonly reported homicides in Nigeria (Dada, 2021; Local African Reality, 2021; News Express, 2021; The Nation Nigeria, 2019). Often times, homicides resulting from strangulation are discovered very late from its clandestine location during which time, the body must have started decomposing (Dada, 2021). At the time these bodies are brought to the funeral homes for preservation and possible investigation, it becomes difficult for most embalmers or morticians to arrest the decomposition. In addition, there is scarce literature or methodology for arresting early decomposition of strangled bodies. Formalin embalming is one of the popular modern methods of preserving cadavers either for burial or dissection (Mayer, 2012). Formalin is a very strong preservative with irritating smell (Lakchayapakorn & Watchalayarn, 2010), which can mix with other chemicals to provide a suitable solution for arresting decomposing bodies by inactivating the autolytic enzymes (proteins) and bacteria (Mayer, 2012; Ajmani, 1998). Methanol can also be mixed with formalin in order to stabilize the fluid, and also prevent the precipitation of formaldehyde into paraformaldehyde (Pal et al., 2022; Ajmani, 1998). Methanol may also be used routinely for fixing tissues because it gives good results (Hammer et al., 2012). A study reported that embalming decomposing bodies resulting from strangulation, burning, stab wounds, accidents, drowning, etc. requires a mixture of formalin, methanol, ammonium salt, thymol, glycerine, and water in order to arrest decomposition (Onyejike et al., 2018). However, this study did not identify the stage of decomposition that could be arrested by this