You haven't heard from the taxidermists because embalming and taxidermy
are not the same thing, either at the chemical level or at the (sorry) gross.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate it if the original author would clarify some
key points that have a great deal of bearing on the answer:
*You do mean embalmed (tissues fixed with an agent such as natron or
formaldehyde) and not simply naturally mummified (dried)? There are
enormous differences in how these are preserved, differences which will
drastically affect your protocol.
*Are these human remains? If so, why is this action being done and with
whose authority (sorry, can't find the original post)? This is critically
important.
*Given the state of DNA and other molecular research today, why is
defleshing these remains so important when the adherent tissue contains
so much vital information? It doesn't have to look aesthetically pleasing
to be important. When so much work is being done today to save soft
tissue, I question the decision to remove it.

I can put together an answer when these questions are addressed.

Cheers,
Sally Shelton
Director, Collections Care and Conservation
President-Elect, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections



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