Crime scene and body alterations caused by arthropods: implications in death investigation

Viero, Alessia; Montisci, Massimo; Pelletti, Guido; Vanin, Stefano

doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1883-8

Cited by 39 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…These structures were also included in descriptions by, inter alia, Voigt [3] from Denmark; Schroeder et al [5] from Germany; Arnaldos et al [22] from Spain; and Bonacci et al [10] from Italy. In our case, the total weight of frass collected from the body and clothing was 1734 g. The papers we have analysed [10,36] indicated the presence of frass, but not its weight. Amounts of frass are difficult to quantify macroscopically; therefore, in our case, we measured its weight.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

A mummified human corpse and associated insects of forensic importance in indoor conditions

2020

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We report, for the first time from Poland, the presence of Dermestes haemorrhoidalis (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on a mummified human corpse found in a flat (Lower Silesia province, southwestern Poland). Different life stages of D. haemorrhoidalis were gathered from the cadaver, and the signs of activity of these beetles (i.e. frass) were observed. On the basis of these facts, we concluded that the decedent, whose remains were discovered in the flat on 13 December 2018, died no later than the summer of 2018, with a strong probability that death occurred even earlier (2016 or 2017). A case history, autopsy findings, and entomological observations are provided. The presence of larvae of Dermestidae in the empty puparia of flies is reported for the first time. A list of the invertebrate species found in the corpse is provided, compared with available data, and briefly discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

A mummified human corpse and associated insects of forensic importance in indoor conditions

2020

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“…The postmortem bite injuries caused by ants are usually superficial, arranged in sinuous conformation with irregular edges, which can cause fluid loss leading to color change and dry skin, as well as bleeding in congested areas . These artifacts can cover traces of crime or be mistaken for antemortem or perimortem injuries caused by cigarette or chemical burns, and abrasions result of blunt force trauma or the dragging of the body on rough surfaces .…”

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confidence: 99%

Artifacts Caused by Leaf‐Cutting Ants of the Genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Postmortem Bite Injuries and the Tearing of Clothes

Souza

Rosa²,

Arantes

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Ants are one of the first insects to find an exposed cadaver and can be present during all stages of decomposition. Although these organisms are not commonly used in postmortem interval estimates, they are to be taken into account on criminal investigations involving human corpses, since they can leave bite marks that can be mistaken for antemortem or perimortem injuries, which could be misleading when ascertaining the occurrence of abuse or physical altercation during a crime. A few studies report the action of ants on human cadavers and even though leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta are frequently encountered in succession studies that use animal carcasses, there are no records of these fungus-growing species on human corpses. Atta is a genus restricted to the New World, ranging from northern Argentina to southern United States and acts as one of the most conspicuous neotropical herbivores. In this study, we report three cases of violent death that illustrate the impact of ants, especially those of the genus Atta, in a forensic setting. We compare the patterns displayed by postmortem bite injuries caused by leaf-cutter ants and other common species with less robust mandibles. We also present the capability of Atta ants to create artifacts by cutting victim's clothes in a crime scene, contributing to the knowledge of ant-mediated confounding factors in crime scene investigation.

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“…The existing entomology literature about dermestids tends to discuss topics such as taxonomy (e.g., 2), necessary temperatures for development (e.g., 15,16), or artifact dermestids leave behind on animal bone after consuming soft tissue (e.g., 17,18). Literature about dermestids for a broader audience is generally focused on their use for processing nonhuman animal specimens (7,8,9,10,11,19), evidence of their activity from the archaeological or paleontological records (20,21,22,23,24,25), or evidence that they were present on human remains at a modern crime scene (3,26,27,28). Additionally, the available academic literature regarding the upkeep of dermestid colonies is either outdated or not specific regarding the methods necessary to maintain dermestids (e.g., 7,8,29).…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for Maintaining a Dermestid Beetle Colony (Dermestes maculatus) for Processing Human Remains

Ciarleglio

Perez

Motola

et al. 2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Dermestid beetles (Dermestes maculatus De Geer 1774) are small carrion insects characterized by a rounded or oval‐shaped body and white abdomen with black markings. Given their natural propensity to consume soft tissue throughout various stages of decomposition, biological anthropologists have sought to use dermestids as a forensic processing method in addition to traditional chemical tissue removal techniques. Although useful, most of the existing academic literature regarding the upkeep of dermestid colonies for skeletal remains processing either lack specificity or are outdated. Additionally, nonacademic sources that contain information regarding dermestid maintenance are often disjointed, resulting in a difficulty to replicate habitat construction and ideal environmental conditions. Therefore, this technical note presents recommendations for anthropologists interested in establishing and maintaining a D. maculatus population. These recommendations are based on our experiences using several dermestid colonies to process five unembalmed human heads, procured from an anatomical gift company for a larger study on gunshot trauma. Aspects of the dermestids’ environment that are crucial for the management of a healthy colony include the type of bedding, food, water, and containment method used, in addition to maintaining appropriate temperature ranges (24–27°C) and humidity levels (35–73%). Although habitat construction and dermestid maintenance involve materials that are relatively inexpensive and readily available, setting up and maintaining a D. maculatus colony can be laborious and time consuming and should only be undertaken when the volume of casework is such that this investment would be offset.

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Crime scene and body alterations caused by arthropods: implications in death investigation

Cited by 39 publications

References 57 publications

A mummified human corpse and associated insects of forensic importance in indoor conditions

A mummified human corpse and associated insects of forensic importance in indoor conditions

Artifacts Caused by Leaf‐Cutting Ants of the Genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Postmortem Bite Injuries and the Tearing of Clothes

Recommendations for Maintaining a Dermestid Beetle Colony (Dermestes maculatus) for Processing Human Remains

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