Multiple colonization of a cadaver by insects in an indoor environment: first record of Fannia trimaculata (Diptera: Fanniidae) and Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Sarcophagidae) as colonizers of a human corpse

Abstract

We describe here a case of multiple colonization of a male cadaver found indoors in the municipality of Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Brazil. The body was colonized by six species of Diptera: Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya putoria (Calliphoridae), Megaselia scalaris (Phoridae), Fannia trimaculata (Fanniidae), and Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Sarcophagidae). The most abundant species were C. albiceps (65.0 % of all emerged adults) and C. megacephala (18.6 %). The case illustrates the ability of six insect species to simultaneously colonize a corpse in an indoor environment and represents the first collaboration between the forensic police and entomologists in Northeastern Brazil. We provide here the first record of two species, F. trimaculata and Peckia (P.) chrysostoma colonizing a human cadaver. We also report the first case of cadaver colonization by C. putoria and M. scalaris in Northeastern Brazil. Information on the development time of two species, C. albiceps and C. megacephala, were used to discuss the estimation of the post-mortem interval. Considering that the region harbors the highest rates of homicide in Brazil, implications of these findings for the consolidation of forensic entomology in the region are discussed.

Accurate predictions of postmortem interval using linear regression analyses of gene meter expression data

“…Biochemical indicators and corresponding sample sites include: pH and spectrophotometer readings of blood and serum [24], cardiac troponin-I and cadaveric blood in the heart [24,25], lactate and malate dehydrogenase in the liver [26], melatonin in the brain, sera, and urine [27], DNA degradation in many tissues and organs [28,29,30,31], endothelial growth factors in the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys [32], insulin and glucagonin in pancreatic beta cells [33,34], cells in the cerebrospinal fluid [35], apoptotic cells in skin bruises [36] and histology of labial muscosa [37]. Biological indicators and sample sites include: ciliary motility in the nose [38], sweat gland morphology in the arm pit [39], muscle contraction [40] and pyrosequencing of the buccal cavity, rectum and GI tract samples [41], entomological [42,43,44] and botanical processes occurring in and around the body [45,46]. Chemical indicators and sample sites include: electrolytes in human vitreous humour [47], biomarkers (e.g.…”

Family Calliphoridae: An Integral Part of Postmortem Interval Estimation

“…Predatory behavior of certain species must also be considered. For example, Chrysomya albiceps eliminate early corpse colonizers [3]. If an examiner just finds the remnants of C. albiceps without knowing its predatory behavior, he or she could mistakenly deduce that this was the first corpse colonizer and underestimate PMI.…”

“…In one case, the PMI was determined to be 5 days. However after an analysis of insect colonization, examiners realized that the PMI was actually closer to 7 days [3]. This error in PMI could lead to the creation of a faulty time-line for a criminal investigation, unintentionally include or exclude persons of interest, and be problematic for the corroboration of potential suspects' alibis.…”

Levantamento da fauna de Coleoptera (Insecta) associada à carcaça de roedores na região Sul do Brasil

“…Um grande número de estudos recentemente tem destacado a importância do uso de insetos para aumentar a acurácia do trabalho pericial (oliveira-cosTa & Mello-PaTiu 2004;Pujol-luz et al 2006;Pujol-luz et al 2008;KosMann et al 2011;vasconcelos et al 2014). Estudos sobre a biologia, ecologia e distribuição geográfica de diversas espécies de insetos podem contribuir para estimar o intervalo pós-morte (IPM) (souza et al 2014), identificar a possível causa da morte em casos que envolvam o consumo de quaisquer substâncias tóxicas ou letais (souza et al 2013), confirmar o local onde ocorreu um crime, ou seja, inferir se um corpo foi deslocado do local onde o óbito originalmente ocorreu (Pujol-luz et al 2006), investigar a origem da contaminação de produtos infestados por insetos (Pereira & salvadori 2006), registrar modificações na cena criminal (ururahy-rodrigues 2008), e rastrear e/ou identificar região produtora de drogas (Macedo et al 2013).…”