Sometimes when you have a dying organ, the bacteria give off a certain odor and it smells kind of like fruit. Then that combines with the rotting flesh and you end up with a real sweet-and-bitter type of a smell.
A decomposing body will typically have a smell of rotting meat with fruity undertones. Exactly what the smell will be like depends on a multitude of factors: The makeup of different bacteria present in the body. Bacterial interactions as the body decomposes.
Full bodies also include internal organs, which rarely burn completely because of their high fluid content; they smell like burnt liver.
Some yeasts produce sulfur compounds that resemble human flatulence. As molds decompose foods, they give off musty, earthy aromas similar to an old basement.
In real life, the smell of decomposition isn't an easy odor to handle that is for sure. It can often surround the property for 50 feet or more.
A corpse generally progresses through five stages of decomposition—fresh, bloat (autolysis), active decay (putrefaction), advanced decay and skeletonisation.
When a dead body decomposes, it emits characteristic gases such as cadaverine, putrescine, indole and skatole, produced as microbes break down the carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids in the body.
Sometimes when you have a dying organ, the bacteria give off a certain odor and it smells kind of like fruit. Then that combines with the rotting flesh and you end up with a real sweet-and-bitter type of a smell.
Necrosis: Necrosis is another common cause of wound odor. When tissues die, it begins to decompose and release foul-smelling chemicals. This type of decay typically occurs in tissues that are already damaged or infected.
A strong or foul odor
But infected wounds often have a distinct odor along with other symptoms. Some bacteria can smell sickly sweet, while others can be quite strong, putrid, or ammonia-like. If you notice a strong or foul odor, especially with pus, drainage, or warmth present, alert your doctor as soon as possible.
In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.
The Gastro-intestinal tract, from mouth to anus, often smells bad.
Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine. It is caused by the excretion of dimethyl disulphide and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH)2, arising from an excess of methionine.
3-5 days after death — the body starts to bloat and blood-containing foam leaks from the mouth and nose. 8-10 days after death — the body turns from green to red as the blood decomposes and the organs in the abdomen accumulate gas. Several weeks after death — nails and teeth fall out.
This mixture of noxious gases produces an awful smell that cannot be ignored. A dead rat, mouse, or other animal smell can linger and produce an even stronger odor as time wears on until it's fully decomposed which could take 6 to 10 weeks.
3) Foul Odor. The presence of odor in a wound might be a sign of decaying or dead tissue. Do not use scented creams or other scented toiletries to try to hide the smell, because this could worsen the condition of the wound.
The infection often spreads very quickly. Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include: A red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly. Severe pain, including pain beyond the area of the skin that is red, warm, or swollen.
A pungent component of this scent is emitted by putrescine, a volatile diamine that results from the breakdown of fatty acids in the putrefying tissue of dead bodies (Hussain et al., 2013).
A fresh kidney has no odor and is firm and shiny.
A dry mouth allows bacteria to thrive. Bacteria that live in the mouth can make compounds that have sulfur. These compounds are especially stinky. They can smell like rotten eggs or onion, for example.
Once the soft tissues have fully decomposed, all that remains is the skeleton. The skeleton and teeth are much more robust. Although they undergo a number of subtle changes after death, they can remain intact for many years.
Even a decomposing body (which, let's face it, is not altogether pleasant visually or olfactorily) is safe. The bacteria involved in decomposition are not the same bacteria that cause disease. Even maggots and insects present no threat to public health.
Skatole: Feces Odors
The gas skatole is normally present in human and animal digestive systems. It is produced in large quantities, however, when the materials in the digestive system begin to break down and decompose inside the body. Skatole is related to indole and is the primary reason that feces smell unpleasant.