how will being underwater change the decay process?

Answer 1

Fresh water makes it faster.
Salt water slows it down

Answer 2

Well, I'm not a forensic scientist but watch CSI a lot. Seems decay occurs faster underwater (depends on where - ie bathwater vs. outdoor body of water)
Outside body of water contains life forms that can attack and eat matter (dead or otherwise) and microscopic animal life can cause a great deal of damage. In the normal decay cycle of outdoors, it takes approx. 15/20 hours for insect life to attack and start the decay process - and it may take several weeks for a total mass destruction. Plus the air carries odors to attract animal life. In the water the process takes approx. half the time.

Answer 3

It slows the decay process. It coold the body quicker. At low temperatures the human body can lost years under water and still be recognizable.

There is less oqygen available to the decay process under water as well

Decomposition
Due to the great number of variables which affect the onset and rate of decomposition, and the fact that any one variable could easily double or triple the speed of decomposition, the processes of decomposition (autolysis and putrefaction) do not afford the investigator with an accurate clock with which to assess the time of death or postmortem interval.
The following chronology of events involved in decomposition, however, could at least
assist the investigator in determining to what degree the body “might be” decomposed.
Decomposition is a transition process which, when complete, returns the body to the elements from which it was originally created. It is a natural and methodical process,
which can be reported on in a clear, concise manner.
The Chronology of Decomposition. The following sequence of events represents in considerable detail the process of decomposition. This timetable would normally be
followed in water with a temperature range of 65F to 75F.
Twelve to Twenty-Four Hours- The skin is the first to change color, from normal to light blue to an almost green discoloration. This color change usually occurs in the,
lower quadrant first, being most noticeable in the area of the lower abdomen / pelvis /groin.
Twenty-Four to Thirty-Six Hours. The discoloration becomes quite pronounced, and the skin takes on a marbled pattern. The blood is now reacting with hydrogen sulfide,
which has been produced within the blood vessels. This produces a characteristic dark

Primary and Secondary Flotation

Origin and Nature of ’Refloat’ Gases: Gases which are produced within a putrefying
cadaver are primarily (though not exclusively) carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide,
ammonia, methane, and sulfur dioxide. These gases are formed in varying quantities
and percentages. Rarely will any two putrefying cadavers produce the same gases in
the same quantities.
These gases, which are formed as a result of bacterial action, are produced at various
sites within the body. As these gases form, buoyancy is created and the body, in many
cases, eventually resurfaces in what is commonly referred to as the reflotation
phenomenon. When and how the victim will resurface depends on many factors,
including the site of the gas production within the body. Since gas is produced in
(chiefly) two different locations, each will be discussed separately.
Primary flotation is usually a result of gases produced within the digestive tract. A
distended abdomen is characteristic of "primary flotation". Putrefactive gases formed
during the primary flotation phase may be released through the mouth, nose and anus
during the handling and removal of the body. It is common to see an individual ’refloated’
between 24 to 72 hours in water of 68F. During “primary flotation" the body will
usually float, face down presenting a very low profile above the water. It is not
uncommon for bodies to release some gas at the surface, loose buoyancy and sink
again to the bottom. Depending on depth, the body will remain until secondary
reflotation.

Secondary flotation involves gas production in other areas of the body or of the
bodies’ tissues. A general swelling of the limbs, trunk, face, etc characterizes
secondary flotation. In this stage, gases form equally throughout the body. A victim
who is exhibiting ’secondary flotation’ is very buoyant. During secondary flotation the
body may float face-up or face- down due to their buoyancy being evenly distributed in
the abdomen and the limbs. Bodies such as this usually represent a very stable
buoyancy.
Factors affecting the “time to refloat”: Due to the many variables involved no reliable
charts or tables exist to provide a reliable formula for predicting time to reflotation.

Answer 4

It slows it - less oxygen and less predators equal less decay. The June 2007 Newsweek has an article about a "body farm", which studies decomposition of human bodies.

Answer 5

the oxygen in the water will quicken a process called oxydisation but depending on the purity of the water other processes will occur salt water will attack an object a lot faster than pure water will

Answer 6

it doesn't quicken the decay process, but it does make any particles that have decayed easier to detect.

Answer 7

it will quicken the decay process