What condition is indicative of a corpse that has undergone bloating?

Bloating of a corpse is primarily associated with the accumulation of gases produced by the breakdown of tissues as decomposition progresses. This process typically occurs within days after death, depending on environmental conditions. As bacteria in the gut produce gases, they cause the abdomen to swell significantly, which can lead to the release of strong odors as the gases escape. The presence of these odors is a clear indicator that decomposition is well underway and that bloating is present.

While warmth in a corpse indicates that decomposition is at an earlier stage, it does not specifically indicate bloating. Signs of freezing would suggest the body has been in cold conditions, which would slow or halt decomposition altogether, preventing bloating from occurring. Complete desiccation implies that the body is dried out and decomposition has largely ceased, so this condition would not be associated with bloating either. Therefore, strong odors are the most direct evidence of bloating in a corpse.