Degradation of Fabric by American Cockroach, House Cricket, and Striped Earwig

Qualitative Analyses of Textile Damage (Cuts and Tears) Applied to Fabrics Exposed to the Decomposition of Carcasses and Associated Insect Activity in an Austral Summer

“…This is also supported by Mallis et al [20], who reported that dermestid larvae were observed feeding on nylon and polyester fibers stained with human sweat and urine. Similarly, Finley et al [21] investigated damage caused to fabrics stained with animal fat by pest insect species and showed that the damage was consistent with dermestid activity on stained synthetic fabrics.…”

“…The activity of the blow fly adults and larvae moving and feeding in and around this wound, and the associated clothing damage, may alter the relative position and the fraying of the fibers and yarns of the fabric [16,17]. When the remains reach the advanced decay and the dry stages, insect species such as larder beetles, which are attracted to hair, bones, dry skin, and clothing, become more predominant [18]; these insects generally leave clear traces of their feeding action on fabrics [19][20][21][22]. Besides acting on pre-existing textile damage, the activity of carrion insects on clothed remains has been reported to produce de novo damage or tear-like artifacts, and to be the cause of clothing disarray, which may mislead the overall reconstruction of the events that may have occurred during a criminal event [23][24][25][26].…”