The mysterious death of the Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar has brought a lot of questions. More than three weeks after the time of death, her body was found in the middle stage of decomposition stage inside a locked apartment on Karachi. The forensic teams and the police have had a difficult time ascertaining what could have happened at the time of death and it is difficult to make out the cause of death by the state of the cadaver.
However, what does science say about the breakdown of the human body with time? And how do experts calculate the time a dead individual has passed? This article examines the scientific phases of body decomposition with an example of the case of Humaira Asghar.
Who Was Humaira Asghar?
Humaira Asghar is a Pakistani actress and model who was more famous because of her good looks and dramatic features, and her graceful walk. She is a beautifully dressed fair-skinned tall woman who has made a household name in many modeling shows and drama series that passed between the years 2010s and early 2020s.
She was not a top heroine but became a respected face with her supporting roles on television serials and often participated in fashion shows and photo shoots in magazines.
However, as time went by, she was slowly departing the limelight and her personal life was starting to be more personal. As reported by the media, Humaira was staying alone in Karachi, out of the entertainment circuit and had ceased to respond to the contacts in the industry, as well as her close friends months ago.
Details of investigation and post mortem report
As per details of investigation and post mortem report:
- It is seen that humaira asghar probably died in September 2024 which shall be almost six months before her body was found.
- The electricity bill was paid the last time in May 2024, the power supply to her flat was switched off 4 months ago due to which a hot and closed space was created.
- The last call is made through her mobile phone in September 2024 and after this no communication record is seen.
- By the moment the police broke into the apartment, her body was already at the final stage of decomposition and it was hard to identify her and conduct a forensic examination.
The combination of these clues and the physical condition of the body led investigators in a calculation of the approximate time of death a process in which scientific techniques are advanced even further.
Understanding Body Decomposition
The decomposition of a human body typically follows five distinct stages, although environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) can significantly speed up or slow down the process.
1. Fresh Stage (0–3 Days After Death)
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No visible external signs of decomposition.
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Internal enzymes begin breaking down cells.
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Body temperature drops; muscles stiffen (rigor mortis).
2. Bloat Stage (2–7 Days)
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Bacteria in the intestines produce gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide.
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Body swells; skin may start turning green or purple.
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Strong odor develops due to gas buildup.
3. Active Decay (5–25 Days)
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Body begins to break down rapidly.
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Tissues liquefy, and strong odors are at their peak.
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Flies and maggots are highly active.
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Skin slips off; eyes collapse; internal organs start disintegrating.
4. Advanced Decay (20–50 Days)
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Most soft tissues have broken down.
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Decomposition slows due to loss of fluids.
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Insects are less active as the body dries out.
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Body may be partially skeletonized.
5. Dry/Remains Stage (2–6 Months or more)
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Only bones, cartilage, hair, and sometimes dried skin remain.
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No smell; environmental factors determine how long bones last.
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Identification becomes extremely difficult without forensic tools.
How Investigators Estimate Time of Death
In cases like Humaira Asghar’s, where the body has undergone advanced decomposition, investigators rely on several indicators:
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Body temperature and insect activity (if recent).
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State of internal organs and presence of decomposition fluids.
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Color and texture of skin, and gas levels.
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Presence and development of larvae or maggots (forensic entomology).
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Environmental conditions such as room temperature and ventilation.
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Toxicology, DNA, and bone analysis for confirming cause of death.
In sealed or poorly ventilated environments (like a closed apartment), decomposition accelerates due to heat and humidity, making the process faster and more severe. This matches what was observed in Humaira’s case — her body had deteriorated to a point where facial features were no longer recognizable.
Why This Case Matters
Humaira Asghar is much more than a celebrity tale about a tragedy. It throws light on how isolated urban communities are left cut off with information about deaths and the determination of both emotional and scientific outcomes of post-mortem examinations.
Her case elicits also the importance of the forensic science as far as investigations of unattended deaths or unnatural deaths are concerned. Emotionally, forensic teams have to work with badly decomposed bodies in order to reveal the truth; justice and closure.
Final Thoughts
The death of Humaira Asghar is still unknown, yet science can be used to reconstruct the timeline. Each phase of decomposition can assist investigators with some help to understand what, when, and how.
