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SUMMARY
Decomposition of a Mes is only Metamei if the Mes was buried without clothing on a marble coffin or a stone slab. (1)
Ula says that decomposition of a Mes is only Metamei if it comes from the flesh and the tendons and also the bones.
Flesh and bones always include tendons.
If two Mesim are buried together the decomposition is not Metamei.
If the decomposition is from one Mes and partially from another Mes it is Metamei.
If the hair of a Mes was cut off and buried with him the decomposition of the Mes is not Metamei.
All parts of a Mes are Metamei with the exception of the teeth, hair and nails.
If the teeth, hair or nails of the Mes are still attached it is Metamei.
It is a Safek whether the hair or nails of a Mes that were ready to be cut off are Metamei.
It is a Safek whether the decomposition from the heel of a Mes is Metamei. (2)
According to the opinion that 'Ubar Yerech Imo' (a fetus is part of the body of the mother) it is a Safek if the decomposition of the mother is Metamei. (3)
It is a Safek whether the decomposition of a woman is Metamei if there is Shichvas Zera inside of her. (4)
It is a Safek whether the decomposition of a Mes is Metamei if waste, skin or mucous is present.
If a Mes is ground up the decomposition is not Metamei.
If a Mes is missing a limb the decomposition is not Metamei. (5)
If a limb of a live person decomposes it is not Metamei.
It is a Safek if a limb of a live person decomposes and the person subsequently dies whether the decomposition is Metamei.
A BIT MORE
1. If the Mes is buried with his clothes, or on a brick slab the decomposition is not Metamei.
2. If the entire Mes decomposes it is Metamei even though it includes the heel. The question of the Gemara is when only the foot decomposed.
3. According to the opinion that the fetus is not part of the body of the mother the decomposition of the mother is certainly not Metamei because it is regarded as a foreign matter.
4. According to the possibility that the fetus is regarded as a foreign matter maybe Shichvas Zera is not regarded as foreign matter because the fetus has not yet developed.
5. The Din of Tefusah (some of the dirt must be taken together with the Mes when the Mes is transferred), and the Din of Shechunas ha'Kevaros also do not apply.
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BRIEF INSIGHT
FLESH OF THE HEEL
It is a Safek whether the decomposition from the heel of a Mes is Metamei. If the entire Mes decomposes it is Metamei even though it includes the heel. The question of the Gemara is when only the foot decomposed. Tosfos explains that the flesh of the heel is often dead flesh and therefore the decomposition may not be Metamei. When only the foot decomposes it is likely that the decomposition resulted because the flesh of the heel was dead flesh and therefore there is reason to think that it should not be Metamei.
QUICK HALACHAH
REKEV
Decomposition of a Mes is only Metamei if the Mes was buried without clothing and is completely intact. If the Mes is missing a limb or is buried in his clothing or in a wooden or metal coffin the decomposition is not Metamei. The Din of Rekev only applies to a person who dies naturally, not to a murder victim because he is missing some of his blood. (Rambam Hilchos Nezirus 7:3)
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