Decomposition: What Happens to the Body After Death? Death and decay are, without question, sensitive topics. Yet without decomposition, we'd be left with even bigger issues to deal with. They're part and parcel of the natural biological "clean-up" and recycle process of all living matter, as those who study predatory bacteria and other corpse fauna can attest. The study of death's decay can also lead to the forensic linchpin in a murder case. While death may be "the last taboo" in many cultures and polite conversation, understanding the science behind rigor mortis and other physiological changes helps ease the fear and demystifies what will happen to all of us someday. Don't be afraid to stare at death in the face. (in Biology)
