Changes in Physical Properties of Bone Between the In Vivo, Freshly Dead, and Embalmed Conditions

A knowledge of the state of the physical properties of cadaver material is important if such material is utilized for impact studies. Experiments were designed to evaluate changes in elastic and strength properties of bone in the experimental animal in the course of its transition from live to recent death to embalmed conditions.

Results indicate less than 5% change from the live to the fresh condition. In progressing to the embalmed wet condition variable degrees of stiffening are observed averaging around 8%. Drying of embalmed bone further increases stiffness about 24% and remoistening reconstitutes some of the initial flexibility.