Can human body be completely dissolved in an acid?
Just wondering if a human body can be completely be dissolved in a tank of very corrosive acid such as HCL or sulfuric acid?
How long will it take for a whole body including the bones to dissolve if put into a drum whole. (Not cut up)
Will the acid have to be replaced periodically?
Has this ever been done?
It would be a neat episode on myth-busters. They could try it on a 150# pig.
One Response to “Can human body be completely dissolved in an acid?”
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phantomlimb7 on June 22nd, 2009
Yes, but you will get a lot of sludge. It will not dissolve metallic elements, like fillings or implants. Many murders have tried to dissolve bodies by acids. You can also use a strong base, like Lye, to dissolve a body.
Here is a link to a service which offers body dissolution: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24526431/
I would suggest you study "Practical Homicide Investigation" or search under links for "Body Farm" for more specific information.
Time to dissolution would depend on the mass of the person, body fat composition and the like.
P.S. bones dissolve poorly in acid, they tend to stay rubbery a long time.