Comparison of Accumulated Degree-Days and Entomological Approaches in Post Mortem Interval Estimation

Franceschetti, Lorenzo; Pradelli, Jennifer; Tuccia, Fabiola; Giordani, G.; Cattaneo, Cristina; Vanin, Stefano

doi:10.3390/insects12030264

Cited by 22 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…The scores from each region are summed together to provide a numeric value representing decomposition progress. TBS can be compared with temporal measures of time or other measures incorporating time and temperature (accumulated degree days, ADD ) to provide a model-based approach for PMI estimation [ 13 ]. The reliability of this method to produce accurate PMI estimates has been questioned [ 14 , 15 ], which has led to the development of more complex TBS models to improve accuracy and reliability [ 9 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does mass loss compare with total body score when assessing decomposition of human and pig cadavers?

Dawson

Barton

2022

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Providing accurate and reliable measures of decomposition is paramount for forensic research where decomposition progress is used to estimate time of death. Mass loss is routinely used as a direct measure of biomass decomposition in ecological studies, yet few studies have analysed mass loss in a forensic context on human cadavers to determine its usefulness for modelling the decomposition process. Mass loss was examined in decomposing human and pig cadavers, and compared with other common decomposition metrics, such as total body score (TBS). One summer and one winter field decomposition experiment was conducted using human and pig cadavers, as pigs are often used as proxies for human cadavers in forensic research. The two measures of decomposition revealed two contrasting patterns of decomposition on pigs and humans, particularly in winter where TBS stabilised at similar values, but mass loss differed greatly. Mass loss was found to be faster in pigs than humans during early decomposition. Pigs lost 75% of their mass in winter, while humans lost less than 50%; however, in summer, both lost around 80% of their mass. TBS displayed similar patterns in both experiments, with TBS increasing more rapidly in pigs compared with humans but both eventually reaching similar TBS values in late decomposition. Measuring mass loss can provide additional information about decomposition progress that is missed if using TBS only. Key differences in decomposition progress between cadaver types were also observed, suggesting caution when extrapolating data from pigs to humans for forensic research and decomposition modelling.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does mass loss compare with total body score when assessing decomposition of human and pig cadavers?

Dawson

Barton

2022

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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“…All of these models could be used to estimate the PMImin; however, the biology of the insects and the climatic parameters under which they are dynamic should be considered [37]. In addition, to provide an accurate PMI, Shang et al [28] suggested the use of a multimethod combination, as well as a combination of multidisciplinary specialists, to analyze and interpret data from forensic investigations [95]. Therefore, further research is still required to test other methods using this species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Influence of Changing and Fixed Temperatures on the Growth and Pteridine Content in the Head of Adults Sarcophaga crassipalpis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Ngando

Zhang

et al. 2023

Animals

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Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) are regarded as significant in medical and veterinary entomology, and their development models can be utilized as considerable markers to ascertain the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). In this research, we explored the growth cycle and larval body length of Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart 1839 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) reared under variable temperatures ranging from 15.7 to 31.1 °C, with an average of 24.55 °C and relative humidity ranges from 31.4 to 82.8% and at six fixed temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30, 32, and then 35 °C. Moreover, pteridine from the head was used to assess adult age grading. Our results allowed us to provide three development models: the isomorphen chart, the isomegalen chart, and the thermal summation models. The time taken for S. crassipalpis to complete its development from larviposition to adult emergence at constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30, 32, and 35 °C was 1256.3 ± 124.2, 698.6 ± 15.1, 481.8 ± 35.7, 366.0 ± 13.5, and 295.8 ± 20.5 h, respectively, except 35 °C, where all pupae were unable to attain adulthood. They lasted 485.8 ± 5.4 h under variable temperatures. The minimum developmental limit (D0) temperature and the thermal summation constant (K) of S. crassipalpis were 9.31 ± 0.55 °C and 7290.0 ± 388.4 degree hours, respectively. The increase in pteridine content exhibited variations across different temperatures. There was quite a considerable distinction in the pteridine contents of male and female S. crassipalpis at 15 °C (p = 0.0075) and 25 °C (p = 0.0213). At 32 °C and variable temperatures, the pteridine content between female and male S. crassipalpis was not statistically divergent. However, temperature and gender remain the main factors influencing the pteridine content in the head of S. crassipalpis. We aim to provide detailed developmental data on S. crassipalpis that can be used as a valuable resource for future research and PMI estimation.

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“…Several methods have been developed to estimate the PMI of cadavers in different stages of decay. However, accurate estimation can be challenging, especially when dealing with corpses in advanced stages of decomposition [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Several postmortem (PM) markers can be used to ascertain the time elapsed since death in the initial PM period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volabolomic Fingerprinting for Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: A Novel Physiological Approach

Mazzatenta,

Pietrangelo,

Demontis

et al. 2024

Biomolecules

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Death is a multifaceted process wherein each individual cell and tissue has a metabolic homeostasis and a time of functional cessation defined by the dying process as well as by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Decomposition is physiologically associated with the release of different types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and these form volaboloma mortis. The main purpose of this study was to record the volabolomic fingerprint produced by volatile molecules during the physiological decomposition process of human tissue and muscle cells. The volatile chemical signature has important implications for an open issue in forensics and pathology, namely the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), which decreases in accuracy with the passage of time. Volatile metabolites emitted from human tissues and muscle cells at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were recorded in real time with an electronic nose sensor device. The key findings were the continuous sampling of VOCs emitted from tissues and cells. These showed a common behavior as time progressed; particularly, after 48 h the distributions became dispersed, and after 72 h they became more variable. Volabolomic fingerprinting associated with time progression relevant to the study of PMIs was reconstructed. Additionally, there may be broader applications, such as in dog training procedures for detecting human remains, and perhaps even for studying scavenger and insect attractants.

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Comparison of Accumulated Degree-Days and Entomological Approaches in Post Mortem Interval Estimation

Cited by 22 publications

References 67 publications

How does mass loss compare with total body score when assessing decomposition of human and pig cadavers?

How does mass loss compare with total body score when assessing decomposition of human and pig cadavers?

Analysis of the Influence of Changing and Fixed Temperatures on the Growth and Pteridine Content in the Head of Adults Sarcophaga crassipalpis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Volabolomic Fingerprinting for Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: A Novel Physiological Approach

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