Article
Entomology
Chloe Losier, Denis R. Boudreau, Kathleen LeBlanc, Jean-Philippe Michaud, Gaetan Moreau
Summary: Temperature plays a crucial role in the decomposition of cadavers and large vertebrate carcasses. Low temperatures can slow down tissue autolysis, bacterial decomposition, and insect activity, resulting in reduced decomposition rates. This study found that the decomposition of domestic pig carcasses in fall was significantly slower than in summer, and the presence and abundance of certain beetle species were related to the decline in decomposition rates. These results highlight the importance of considering environmental factors and interspecific interactions among insects in forensic entomology studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Jeffrey D. Wells, Amber E. MacInnis, Maurell A. Dsouza, Zain Ul Abdin, Sara Al Mughawi, Mohammad Al Khloofi, Mariam Sajwani, Maryam Al Maidoor, Ashwaq Saeed, Hamdan Ahli, Rawdha Al Shamsi, Reem Al Mheiri
Summary: The study found that carrion insect species that deposit offspring quickly on a corpse are more useful for estimating postmortem interval. Through short-term outdoor experiments, certain insect species were identified to have a faster colonization rate and higher probability of settling on a corpse.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Kathleen LeBlanc, Denis R. Boudreau, Gaetan Moreau
Summary: Fly families such as Calliphoridae and Muscidae are important in the decomposition of cadavers and can provide clues for determining the time of death in courtroom proceedings. The use of small bait traps in forensic entomology is becoming popular as a new approach to sample early-colonizing necrophagous Diptera species, but caution should be exercised when applying the data obtained from these traps in court.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Liangliang Li, Yi Guo, Yuxuan Zhou, Ya Yang, Chengtao Kang, Gengwang Hu, Yinghui Wang, Yanan Zhang, Yu Wang, Wang Jiangfeng
Summary: This study conducted forensic entomological research in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, investigating the estimation of the postmortem interval in different months. The results demonstrated that the decomposition of carcasses and the species and numbers of insects varied according to the month. The findings provide guidance for using insect evidence to estimate the postmortem interval in different months.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Osama Al-Zahrani, Mohammed S. Al-Khalifa, Fahd A. AL-Mekhlafi
Summary: This study aimed to identify species and succession of beetles on buried remains. 165 specimens belonging to 4 families were collected from buried and exposed rabbit carcasses on the campus of King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Tenebrionidae was the most abundant family in buried carcasses, while the Dermestidae was the most abundant in surface carcasses.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Sandra Weithmann, Christian von Hoermann, Gregor Degasperi, Katharina Brandt, Sandra Steiger, Manfred Ayasse
Summary: The study investigated the temporal changes in the composition of rove beetle communities across different forests in Germany, finding that these changes were independent of species-specific geographical variations. Certain species from the genus Philonthus were identified as suitable for forensic entomological investigations in the Schorfheide-Chorin region, and a new species, Omalium septentrionis, was described as a member of the carrion associated rove beetle fauna in the Schwabische Alb region. The research results suggest that certain rove beetle species could contribute to advancements in postmortem interval estimations in forensic entomology contexts.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Yu Wang, Yinghui Wang, Man Wang, Wang Xu, Yanan Zhang, Jiangfeng Wang
Summary: This paper presents the recent chronology of forensic entomology in China, including the acquisition and application of identification, development, and succession data, as well as countermeasures to overcome difficulties and challenges. The research progress on species identification, temperature-dependent development, faunal succession, and entomological toxicology in China is reviewed, along with common applications of forensic entomology. Challenges faced by forensic entomologists in China are analyzed, and possible countermeasures are presented.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Luise Thuemmel, Lena Lutz, Janine Geissenberger, Stefan Pittner, Jonathan Heimer, Jens Amendt
Summary: The pattern of insect succession and species composition on cadavers can be influenced by various parameters, including concealment. This study found that concealing cadavers in closed tents can lead to a delayed arrival of insects, altered species composition, and decreased taxa present on the cadavers.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna Gruszka, Szymon Matuszewski
Summary: Insect analysis can provide evidence in death cases, such as determining the time of death. Beetles are the second most useful insect group in forensic entomology. In this study, developmental models for the Necrodes littoralis beetle were developed, which is common in the Palearctic region and has potential in forensic entomology. Depending on the temperature, development lasted between 23 and 89 days.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yu Wang, Man Wang, Wang Xu, Yinghui Wang, Yanan Zhang, Jiangfeng Wang
Summary: Accurately estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) of a carcass in water is crucial for homicide investigations. This study explored various factors, including carrion insects, brain tissue RNA, bacterial biofilm, and algae, to estimate the PMI of rat carcasses in a river. The results showed that carrion insects may not be suitable for PMI estimation in water, but brain tissue RNA, bacterial biofilm, and algae demonstrated promising potential.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Ruonan Zhang, Gengwang Hu, Yinghui Wang, Liangliang Li, Yi Guo, Yu Wang, Luyang Tao
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of forensic entomological evidence using P. regina and provide developmental models for accurate estimation of the minimum postmortem interval.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Luciana-Elena Popescu, Chloe Losier, Gaetan Moreau
Summary: A field study found that the abundance of Necrodes surinamensis increased dramatically on some pig carcasses during decomposition. This resulted in the collapse of blow fly maggot populations and a decline in late-successional insect species.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Yu Wang, Man Wang, Chengliang Luo, Liangliang Li, Wang Xu, Guoliang Hu, Yinghui Wang, Jens Amendt, Jiangfeng Wang
Summary: This study found that the development and succession patterns of insects, changes in microbial composition, and degradation of muscle tissue RNA during decomposition can be used as indicators for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) with an accuracy of 3-4 days. This research provides basic data for PMI estimation by analyzing the changes of insects, muscle RNA, and microorganisms on pig carcasses in the same natural environment in China.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Entomology
M. S. Siva Prasad, Embalil Mathachan Aneesh
Summary: Forensic entomology uses the study of insect colonization and decomposition of a corpse to help determine the time since death, with age estimation of insects playing a crucial role in minimum post mortem interval calculation. Various techniques are available for accurate age estimation. Entomotoxicology analysis is also a valuable tool in long-term poisoning cases involving recovered bodies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TROPICAL INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Woong-Bae Park, Jun-Kyu Park, Yuno Do
Summary: In this study, the interplay of seasonal insect assemblages and carcass weight change is explored to refine the estimation of minimum post-mortem interval. The findings highlight the influence of seasonal variability on decomposition dynamics and propose a more reliable method by combining weight change and total body score. However, the limitations of using a single pig carcass per season suggest the need for future research with larger sample sizes.
ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Heitor S. D. Correa, Ivano Alessandri, Andrea Verzeletti
Summary: This research assessed the usefulness of Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in analyzing bones. The techniques were found to be useful in molecular taphonomy studies and forensic genetics.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2024)