L'entomologie légale lorsque insecte rime avec indice

Gaudry, Emmanuel; Dourel, Laurent; Chauvet, Bernard; Vincent, Benoı̂t; Pasquerault, Thierry

doi:10.1016/s1773-035x(06)80636-2

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Another contribution of molecular analysis is the identification of human DNA in the digestive tract of the larvae. This method can be used to determine the genetic profile of the victim ( Campobasso, Di Vella & Introna, 2001 ; Wells & Sperling, 2001 ; Benecke & Wells, 2002 ) and can be used as evidence in the absence of a cadaver ( Gaudry et al, 2007 ). Indeed, the presence of necrophagous larvae or pupae in an otherwise barren location can suggest the former presence of a cadaver.…”

Section: Contribution Of Molecular Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

Charabidzé

Gosselin

Hédouin

2017

PeerJ

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The use of insects as indicators of post-mortem displacement is discussed in many texts, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. Although the concept is widely cited, it is poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of biological aspects. Distribution, microhabitat, phenology, behavioral ecology, and molecular analysis are among the research areas associated with this topic. This article provides the first review of the current knowledge and addresses the potential and limitations of different methods to evaluate their applicability. This work reveals numerous weaknesses and erroneous beliefs as well as many possibilities and research opportunities.

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Section: Contribution Of Molecular Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

Charabidzé

Gosselin

Hédouin

2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Another contribution of molecular analyses is the identification of human DNA in the digestive tract of the larvae. This method can be used to determine the genetic profile of the victim (16,33,160) and can be used in the absence of a cadaver as well as after its relocation (60). Indeed, the presence of necrophagous larvae or pupae in an empty place can suggest the former presence of a cadaver.…”

Section: E 3 Identification Of Human Dnamentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

Charabidzé

Gosselin

Hédouin

2017

Preprint

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The use of insects as indicators of postmortem displacement is discussed in many text, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. However, the concept is widely cited but poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. Surprisingly, this question has never be taken into account entirely as a cross-disciplinary theme. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of data on their biology: distribution areas, microhabitats, phenology, behavioral ecology and molecular analysis are among the research areas linked to this problem. This article reviews for the first time the current knowledge on these questions and analysze the possibilities/limitations of each method to evaluate their feasibility. This analysis reveals numerous weaknesses and mistaken beliefs but also many concrete possibilities and research opportunities. 55 Previous reviews have gathered and explained the aims and methods of forensic entomology (11, 56 28, 35, 154), but some fundamental questions remain unresolved, particularly the potential to use 57 insects as evidence of corpse relocation. 58Forensic taphonomy can include a variety of changes due to human activity, especially 59 steps taken to hide a cadaver (77). Attempts to prevent discovery often include cadaver 60 concealment, wrapping and displacement. Such post-mortem relocation can occur shortly after 61 death or after days of concealment and can take place over a short distance (e.g., from the room 62 where the death occurred to the garden of the house) or a longer distance. In most cases, the 63 environment where the cadaver was hidden is very different from that of the place where death 64 occurred (137). Forensic entomology manuals and courses often state that insects can be used as 65 evidence of cadaver relocation (9, 28, 35, 89, 117, 126, 144) because the biology and ecology of 66 necrophagous species can convey information on where and how insects live and thus may 67 highlight inconsistencies regarding cadaver location and decomposition. However, while this idea 68 is appealing, it may not reflect reality. 73 species have large distribution areas covering many countries and hundreds of thousands of square 74 kilometers, making the sampling of non-native species quite unlikely. While each species has an 75 ecological niche (e.g., forest or synanthropic; sun or shady habitats), such preferences are not rules.76 Additionally, as some species can travel kilometers to find carrion, microhabitats are only relative 77 concepts (22, 118). The long dispersal capability of most necrophagous species, especially 78 blowflies, makes it difficult to relate a given species to a particular place or habitat and thus draw 79 inferences regarding cadaver relocation (166). 80Temporal separation is another characteristic of necrophagous species. The phenology 81 (cyclic and seasonal phenomena) of blowflies is well known; some species are primarily active 82 during...

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