Body bag

Body bag is a non-porous bag designed to contain a human body, used for the storage and transportation of corpses. Body bags can also be used for the storage of corpses within morgues. Before the advent of body bags, cotton shrouds were used to wrap bodies with a similar purpose.

History

The use of body bags, also known as cadaver pouches, became prevalent during the Vietnam War. Prior to this, the bodies of soldiers who died in combat were often transported back to their home country in a metal container. The use of body bags increased the efficiency of this process.

Design

Body bags are typically designed to be durable and leak-proof. They are often constructed from a high-density polyethylene material, which is resistant to tears and punctures. The bags are typically sealed with a zipper, which runs the length of the bag. Some body bags also include handles to facilitate transportation.

Usage

Body bags are used in a variety of contexts, primarily within the medical and forensic sciences. They are used to transport bodies from the scene of a death to the morgue, and from the morgue to the place of burial or cremation. Body bags are also used in disaster scenarios, where a large number of deaths may occur.

See also

• Mortuary science
• Forensic pathology
• Death care industry in the United States