Succession study on forensically important Coleoptera from India: a preliminary study and its forensic implications

Neha Singh,Madhu Bala

doi:10.1186/s41935-019-0168-9

Abstract

BackgroundColeoptera is the second most important group of entomofauna associated with decomposition, yet little is known about its role in decomposition and postmortem colonization of carcasses in India and other parts of the world. Consequently, a preliminary study was conducted to study the succession of forensically important Coleoptera using goat carrion as an animal model.ResultsFive decomposition stages were observed during the experiment. A total of 1174 adult coleopterans belonging to 21 species and seven families were collected during this study. Throughout faunal succession, Histeridae and Silphidae were the dominant Coleopteran families, and they occurred mainly during the bloated and decay stages of decomposition; Necrophila (Calosilpha) ioptera was the dominant species present from the bloated to dry stage of putrescence. Two species, Pachylister bellicus and Saprinus sternifossa were reported for the first time from India.ConclusionThis study provides baseline data regarding Coleopteran species associated with different decomposition stages, but more extensive studies need to be performed to develop a geographical database on arthropod succession from as many habitats as possible so that this kind of data can be used in forensic cases.

Highlights

Coleoptera is the second most important group of entomofauna associated with decomposition, yet little is known about its role in decomposition and postmortem colonization of carcasses in India and other parts of the world
Especially Diptera and Coleoptera, are generally the first to arrive because they are attracted by different odors and gases that are released by a carcass, and they use it as a source of food, reproduction, and larval development (Cornaby 1974)
As previously discussed, insects play a significant role in the decomposition process, and they are intimate witnesses to the postmortem phase of carcasses (Krikken & Huibregts 2001); there are several factors that can affect the colonization of insects on carrion, and these factors can alter the rate of decomposition progression

Summary

Introduction

Coleoptera is the second most important group of entomofauna associated with decomposition, yet little is known about its role in decomposition and postmortem colonization of carcasses in India and other parts of the world. Forensic entomology applies evidence from insect to legal problems such as the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Especially Diptera and Coleoptera, are generally the first to arrive because they are attracted by different odors and gases that are released by a carcass, and they use it as a source of food, reproduction, and larval development (Cornaby 1974). The environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, season, and micro-climate of the surrounding postmortem habitat. Knowledge on the ecology of forensically important beetles could help in PMI/PAI estimation (Matuszewski 2011, 2012; Souza et al 2014), and be used to support mPMI estimates from Dipteran data

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