Bodily fluids from a deceased person are often present after an unattended death. This can be an unsettling experience for many, but the presence of bodily fluids is a natural part of life and it is important to address their presence in an appropriate and respectful manner.
The most common bodily fluids that may be present at the scene of a deceased person include blood, saliva, vomit, urine, tears, sweat and other bodily secretions. In addition to these bodily fluids, bodily tissues such as fat, bone and muscle may also be present. Depending on the circumstances of death and the time passed since death occurred, different bodily fluids may be present in varying amounts.
Blood is typically the most abundant bodily fluid found after a death has occurred. It is usually dark red or brown in color due to the breakdown of hemoglobin within it. Blood may appear under various forms such as liquid (if fresh), clotted (if aged) or scabbed (if mixed with other substances). It also has a unique smell caused by its composition which might include fatty acids and proteins.
Saliva is another bodily fluid which is commonly found on deceased persons; however it is significantly less abundant than blood due to saliva being produced at a much lower rate than blood by healthy individuals prior to their passing away. Saliva typically appears as clear or slightly yellowish liquid which can have a slightly salty taste depending on individual’s diet prior to their death.
Other bodily fluids such as vomit, urine, tears and sweat are not commonly found in significant amounts unless there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the individual’s passing such as illnesses that cause vomiting or excessive sweating during their last hours. These bodily secretions typically have distinct smells associated with them and all should be handled with caution when cleaning up after an unattended death occurs since they contain toxins that could potentially spread disease if not properly disposed of.
Ultimately, addressing bodily fluids after an unattended death requires special care since they contain information about the individual who has passed away which must be respected out of decency and respect for their memory. While confronting bodily fluid post-death can seem overwhelming it is essential to remember that these elements have been present throughout life and will naturally remain so even after passing away; thus proper management of them should take place in order to ensure proper preservation of memories related to the deceased individual while still respecting any cultural traditions related to dealing with bodily fluids post-death.
