What chemical changes does the human body go through in the first fourteen days after death?

Question

I am writing a story in which the principal character regularly handles dead bodies. Part of the plot premise depends on trying to alter the course of chemical changes the body goes through in the first weeks after death. But my college physiology courses were kind of hit-or-miss on post-mortem issues. If you have any books, links, or information about the changes the human body goes through in the first fourteen days after death I would be very appreciative and you would get ten extra points!

Answer 1

Depends on the condition the body is in and the environment it is in bodies decay slower in the cold and if embalmed properly bodies outside decay with maggots . In 3 hours rigor mortis sets in and liver mortis sets in within 12 hours of death. Bacteria in the intestines multiplies as soon as the metabolism ceases. Thereis a website called deathonline.net This will help a little more.