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Forensic entomology applied to a mummified corpse
Abstract
The recovery of natural mummies is always a rare event in forensic practice because it is highly dependant on climatic conditions and necrophagous insects activity. The entomofauna associated with natural mummies is very specific and is composed of household pests of animal products. We present the case of a mummified human corpse, discovered one year and two months after death. The corpse was discovered in a closed flat and was consequently protected against the activity of the most active necrophagous insects (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae). Numerous individuals of three species of forensic interest insects at various stages of development were sampled on the cadaver. Two of them were household insects : Tineola bisselliella Hummel (Lepidoptera, Tineidae), and Anthrenocerus australis Hope (Coleoptera, Dermestidae), which were naturally present in the flat and colonized the corpse when it reached the suitable stage of dessication. It is the first time that A. australis was observed and sampled on an human cadaver. The third species was a Phoridae (Diptera) : Megaselia sp., a small fly having succeeded to penetrate into the flat from outdoors.
... This species is classified as a destructive household pest as well as a pest of dried insect collections [35,36]. Both aforementioned insects are recorded from the corpse when it reached the suitable stage of dessication [10,37]. ...
It is extremely rare for table salt to be used to preserve a dead body in criminal cases. In the case presented here, after the death of his 85-year-old mother, a son kept her body preserved in table salt for about 2 years to extort social benefits (pension). Before her death, the woman had been hospitalised twice due to chronic diseases. The case has been examined by the multi-disciplinary team. The unusual conditions in which the corpse was stored influenced its good condition (close to mummification), with limited colonisation of the corpse by necrophagous insects and insects involved in soft tissue biolysis (i.e. selected Diptera or Coleoptera). The use of table salt inhibited the growth of most fungi which would normally be present on a corpse stored in ambient conditions, and the corpse’s surface was colonised by halophilic fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis).
... Oecophoridae were the only insects observed on the mummified remains of new born children found in an attic in England (Forbes 1942). Tineidae have been reported from both below ground (Evans 1963) and above ground (Goff et al. 1986, Braack 1987, Tantawi et al. 1996, Bourel et al. 2000, Oliva 2001, Bucheli et al. 2009, Introna et al. 2011) carrion and cadavers with notes on the behavior and biology of two common, forensically significant species in Bucheli (2010). ...
A yearlong survey of insect taxa associated with human decomposition was conducted at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) facility located in the Center for Biological Field Studies of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. During this study, four insect-cadaver interactions were observed that represent previously poorly documented yet forensically significant interactions: Syrphidae maggots colonized a corpse in an aquatic situation; Psychodidae adults mated and oviposited on an algal film that was present on a corpse that had been recently removed from water; several Panorpidae were the first insects to feed upon a freshly placed corpse in the autumn; and a noctuid caterpillar was found chewing and ingesting dried human skin. Baseline knowledge of insect-cadaver interactions is the foundation of forensic entomology, and unique observations have the potential to expand our understanding of decomposition ecology.
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... This pattern of insect predation together with trauma to rib heads (highlighted above -failure pattern consistent with compressive loading to the ribcage post-mortem) suggests the individual was subjected to penetrating or bluntforce trauma of the thorax during the early post-mortem period; during this period the body was in active decomposition, which exposed bronchial and pleural tissues to insect fauna prior to desiccation and natural mummification. Such a pattern of infestation is not seen in complete or non-traumatised bodies [3][4][5] Discussion: Traditional taphonomic approaches focus on the application of uniformitarian assumptions in order to understand post-mortem processes in the deep past. In contrast, the epistemological and practical basis of forensic taphonomy marks a shift in the temporal focus, away from studies of complex time-averaged assemblages, to shorter post-mortem time frames spanning days to years, with the emergence of the individual cadaver as a key unit of analysis. ...
... The inside carcasses supported only Calliphoridae, whereas several other families of insects, including Phoridae, Formicidae, Braconidae, Silphidae, Cleridae, and Staphylinidae, were recovered from the outside carcasses. Although this most probably indicates flight preference in the Coleoptera, Phoridae, and Braconidae are quite mobile and have been recovered from indoor cases (58)(59)(60). Phoridae in particular are well known to enter enclosed spaces (61)(62)(63)(64)(65). It is possible that had the experiment been extended for longer, other species may eventually have been attracted indoors, although in a study of past forensic entomology cases in B.C., only Piophilidae, Muscidae (Hydrotaea sp.), and Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Nasonia vitripennis (Walker)) were recovered indoors (34). ...
Decomposition and insect colonization of pig (Sus scrofa L.) carcasses were observed over a 42-day period inside and outside a house in a suburban region of Edmonton, Alberta. Three freshly killed pig carcasses were placed outdoors on grass and three carcasses were placed in separate rooms inside a house in a suburban residential area. The carcasses were examined and sampled regularly. Outside carcasses were colonized rapidly by Calliphora vicina (R-D), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Lucilia illustris (Meigen), Eucalliphora latifrons (Hough), Cynomya cadaverina (R-D), Phormia regina (Meigen), and Protophormia terraenovae (R-D). There was a delay of 5 days before inside carcasses were first colonized but all species except E. latifrons and L. illustris readily colonized at this time. Many more insects colonized the outside carcasses, and these were rapidly skeletonized. Inside, much fewer insects were present and decomposition was slowed and colonization extended. Dispersal patterns of postfeeding larvae inside the house on hard substrate were greatly expanded compared with those from carcasses on grass.
... Both Early and Goff (13) and Tullis and Goff (14) note the presence of tineid caterpillars under human corpses in the Hawaiian Islands. Bourel et al. (15) record T. bisselliella from a mummified corpse in France. Oliva (16) documents the presence of larvae of both species on the head hair of corpses found indoors in Argentina. ...
Decomposition of large mammalian carcasses is greatly accelerated through the action of insects. Specialized feeders capable of digesting keratin and collagen found in skin, hair, and tendons and ligaments are attracted to corpses in late stages of dry decomposition and include Tinea pellionella, the casemaking clothes moth, and Tineola bisselliella, the webbing clothes moth (Lepidoptera; Tineidae). Until now, details of the caterpillar behavior as necrophagous insects were vague. Here, we detail the behavior of each species and document the incorporation of human hair into the portable larval shelters constructed by the caterpillars of T. pellionella. Hair of the decedent used as building material for caterpillar shelters provided enough starting template to amplify and sequence the HVI and HVII sections of the control region (mtDNA) of the decedent.
يقدم هذا المعجم تغطية شاملة وأساسية لمصطلحات علم الحشرات الجنائي الذي يختص بالوقائع الجنائية المرتبطة بالحشرات التي ينظر إليها رجال القانون، مراعيًا تطبيق الخبرة الطبية والتحليل العلمي السليم، معتمدًا على الدلائل والوسائل الموجودة في علم الحشرات. وقد اختيرت المصطلحات الأكثر استعمالاً في الكتابات العامة والأوساط العِلمية والعَملية المتخصصة والسائدة في كثير من مساقات علوم الحشرات وعلوم الحياة والعلوم الطبية وغيرها من التخصصات، ووَفقًا لمتطلبات برامج التعليم في معظم كليات الزراعة والعلوم الطبيعية والطب البشري والبيطري في الدول العربية. ويستفيد من هذا المعجم مجموعة واسعة من القراء بمختلف متطلباتهم المعرفية؛ فبالإضافة إلى الباحثين والعاملين في مختلف المؤسسات الأكاديمية والبحثية والصناعية، فإن المعجم سيساعد طلاب الكليات ومراكز الأبحاث والأدلة الجنائية، التي لا تزال مقرراتها أو مراجعها باللغة الإنجليزية، في الحصول على المقابل العربي لآلاف المصطلحات التي يمر بها الطالب في أثناء دراسته والباحث خلال بحثه؛ وذلك لأن فهم أي علم في العالم العربي أو استيعابه لم ولن يتحقق تحقُّقًا كاملاً إلا عن طريق لغة الطالب والباحث، ألا وهي اللغة العربية. ويحتوي هذا المعجم على أكثر من 5000 مصطلح علمي وفني إنجليزي، تغطي مجالات التقنيات الجزيئية الحديثة في علم الحشرات الجنائي وتحليل البيانات الحشرية وسجلات قضايا الحشرات الجنائية وتقاريرها، وأدوات جمع الحشرات وحفظها وتربيتها في المختبر والأسماء الشائعة والعلمية لأنواع الحشرات ذات الأهمية الجنائية والتركيب الخارجي للحشرات وبيولوجيتها وجمع الأدلة والبيانات الحشرية من مسرح الجريمة وتغييرات ما بعد الوفاة أو الموت وتعاقب الحشرات على الجثث في البيئات المختلفة وعلم الأرصاد الجوي الجنائي وعلم السميات الحشري والمدد الزمنية منذ الوفاة
This represents one of several sections of "A Bibliography Related to Crime Scene Interpretation with Emphases in Geotaphonomic and Forensic Archaeological Field Techniques, Nineteenth Edition" (The complete bibliography is also included at ResearchGate.net.). This is the most recent edition of a bibliography containing resources for multiple areas of crime scene, and particularly outdoor crime scene, investigations. It replaces the prior edition and contains approximately 10,000 additional citations. As an ongoing project, additional references, as encountered, will be added to future editions.
The collection and analyses of insects, or invertebrates, from crime scenes is generally well known among homicide investigators and death scene investigators. It has been the compiler’s experience, however, that the actual practice of such collection, outside the presence of a forensic entomologist, is still overlooked or avoided. Often, an attitude prevails that that level of information is not necessary given the investigator’s knowledge of when an abduction took place, or a subject’s confession. In other situations, collections are not made simply because the investigators are not properly equipped with tools, chemicals, and packaging materials to collect and kill samples, or are not sure of what to do with, or how to store, live specimens. Entomological evidence is unique in that it is, in most criminal investigations, the only type of non-human evidence consisting of living, moving species. It is the hope of the compiler that this section will offer some answers toward appropriate collection procedures and equipment which are not expensive, do not involve a lot of time, or the need for additional manpower. The proper collection of entomological samples combined with accurate spatial, temporal, and environmental data, can yield valuable information toward determining postmortem intervals (Taphonomy - Decomposition and Time Since Death). Subject/Witness statements might be supported or disproved. Works such as Catts and Haskell (1990), and Lord and Burger (1983) have become standards in the field of forensic entomological procedures. In recent years compilations such as that by Byrd and Castner (2010) have demonstrated the increasing interest in forensic applications of a science which otherwise serves advancements in health and agriculture. Amendt, et al. (2007) offer "Standards and Guidelines" for this field of study. Entomology, as a means of determining post-mortem interval, continues to be scrutinized. This is not a bad thing. Any validation, clarification, or revocation of a forensic technique benefit crime scene interpretation.
Many of the works below include laboratory analyses and research. That research goes beyond addressing the timing of a death or deposition (post-mortem interval) to toxicological determinations, interpretations of death scene versus depositional environments, et cetera. Like virtually every category in this bibliography, the study of entomology is contingent upon so many factors at a scene that an understanding of other disciplines is a neccessity. Obviously, taphonomy and pathology are directly related to insect activity on discovered remains. Environmental characteristics such as soils and plants, as well as body position either by accident or intentional, could influence the impact of insects in peri- and post-mortem activity. Again, the reader is refered to other categories such as Taphonomy, Geoarchaeology and Soil Science, and Criminal and Cultural Behavior. (2552 citations)
Introduction to Veterinary and Comparative Forensic Medicine is a ground-breaking book in an emerging new speciality. It reflects the increasing demand for expert opinion by veterinarians and others in courts of law and elsewhere on such matters as: wildlife conservation, welfare of, and alleged cruelty to, animals, insurance, certification and malpractice the identification of live and dead species or their derivatives. It also discusses and analyses current concern over possible links between domestic violence and abuse of animals. Throughout the book the emphasis is on the need for a systematic and thorough approach to forensic work. A particular feature is practical advice, with protocols on dealing with common problems, together with case studies, various appendices and an extensive bibliography. A vital reference for members of the veterinary profession, lawyers, enforcement bodies and welfare and conservation organisations. The comparative aspects provide an important source of information for those working in human forensic medicine and the biological sciences.
Forensic entomology is the study of insects associated with human corpses during legal investigations. Insect evidence can help to determine the time elapsed after death and other circumstances of each crime scense. Insects that first colonize a dead body usually belong to the Order Diptera and in particular to the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae. In the Botanical Gardens and Natural History Museum of Parma, Northern Italy, from April to June 2002 experimental trials using pig meat as bait were caried out to collect and define fauna of forensic interest in an urban habitat. In these experiments Diptera and Coleoptera samples were collected, analysed and identified. Different climatic conditions such as temperature and relative humidity values were recorded to indicate the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the insects' life cycle and on the entomological conclusions in a real forensic case. Numerous individuals of the species Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae), Sarcophaga africa (Sarcophagidae), Megaselia scalaris (Phoridae) and Coleopteran Dermestidae and Histeridae were sampled. The first two species were attracted to fresh meat and the third one was attracted to rotting meat and had a complete development cycle in indoors. Environmental parameters such as temperature and relative humidity variations can affect the presence and abundance of Diptera specimens and their life cycle as well as other arthropods.
The World Catalogue of the Dermestidae (Coleoptera) contains all the taxa described until February 28, 2014. © 2015 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. All rights reserved.
This review summarises the information available on the biology, behaviour and economic significance of the common or webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel), currently the most important and widespread clothes moth pest throughout the world. These moths can cause the loss of irreplacable material of aesthetic, historic and scientific importance, as well as damaging every-day items such as clothes, furnishings and other materials prepared from animal fur, wool, feathers and hides. Methods for the detection and control of this pest are outlined, with particular emphasis on control strategies that are environmentally sustainable and avoid the use of conventional pesticides and fumigants. Improvements in storage coupled with targeted use of appropriate control measures will help to reduce pest populations. However, the continuing problems with this pest highlight the need for improved methods of detection, prevention and management.
For ten years, forensic entomology has greatly progressed. However, continuous systematic and biological studies are necessary to increase the techinque of identification. The faunal succession on human cadavers of Megnin (1894) are updated with further modifications, advice and bibliography.
Among the faunal succession on human corpses exposed, the Phoridae flies were considered formerly characteristic of the fith wave at 4-8 months since the onset and the third wave on buried corpses (MEGNIN, 1894). It is now recognized that they may be associated with the previous waves and also with the last to eliminate the remains of soft tissues of a rotting body after several years. The references are cited and an original case is presented.