Scientists are investigating life after death – and it's getting weirder and weirder.

Post-mortem conditions and cell survival

The survival and functionality of some cells after death depend on many factors, such as environmental conditions, metabolic activity, and preservation techniques. Different cell types have different survival times. For example, human white blood cells typically survive for 60 to 86 hours after the organism dies, while mouse skeletal muscle cells can survive for up to 14 days. Fibroblasts from sheep and goats can be cultured in the laboratory for up to a month after the organism dies.