Advanced Stage Of Decomposition Research Articles

First record of Fannia leucosticta (Meigen) (Diptera: Fanniidae) breeding in human corpses

A case where Fannia leucosticta (Meigen, 1838) was breeding in human corpses is reported for the first time. One larva and one unemerged puparium were recovered from two corpses in an advanced stage of decomposition, found in autumn in Alicante province, Spain.

Fracionamento químico e físico da matéria orgânica de um argissolo vermelho sob diferentes sistemas de uso

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o carbono orgânico total e as frações físicas e químicas da matéria orgânica (MO) do solo em um Argissolo Vermelho Eutrófico arênico, submetido a diferentes sistemas de uso. Os sistemas de uso do solo avaliados foram: florestamento homogêneo de Eucalyptus grandis (EUC), sistema agrossilvipastoril na faixa (ASP) e campo nativo (CN), nas camadas de 0,000-0,025m e de 0,025-0,075m. A fração grosseira (CFG) e o carbono associado aos minerais (CAM) foram obtidos por meio de fracionamento físico granulométrico. As frações leve livre (FLL), leve oclusa (FLO) e pesada (FP) foram obtidas por meio de fracionamento físico densimétrico. As frações não húmicas (NH), ácido fúlvico (AF), ácido húmico (AH) e humina (HU) foram obtidas por meio de fracionamento químico. O sistema EUC promoveu maiores estoques de carbono orgânico total, CFG, FLL e FLO e na fração AF nas camadas avaliadas. Na camada superficial, os mecanismos de proteção da MO por recalcitrância molecular e estabilização química estão sobrepondo a estabilidade decorrente da oclusão em agregados. Com a dificuldade de formar agregados, devido a matrizes arenosas desse solo, o carbono jovem que entra no sistema é decomposto pelos microrganismos, entrando em um estágio mais avançado de decomposição e, nesse caso, formando associações com as partículas silte e argila, mesmo em solos em que o percentual de argila é baixo. Através do fracionamento químico, observou-se que a maior parte da MO do solo encontra-se armazenada na forma de HU.

The Interest of Postmortem Bacteriology in Putrefied Bodies

A 27-year-old man was found dead in an advanced decomposition stage at home. On external examination, his body showed petechial hemorrhages of the skin. At autopsy, petechial hemorrhages of the epicardium were found, but no sign of meningitis was detected. Toxicological investigations remained negative. Bacteriological conventional analyses showed no significant result. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B was finally isolated on cerebrospinal fluid by a specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. To our knowledge, there are no available data about the postmortem diagnosis of an infectious cause of death in a decomposed corpse. In such situations, the polymicrobial overgrowth usually hampers the interpretation of bacteriological conventional methods and questions their diagnostic value. Such molecular bacteriological approaches appear to constitute an important diagnostic tool for forensic scientists and should be widely processed in case of suspected infectious death or sudden death whatever the postmortem interval.

Current Near‐to‐Nature Forest Management Effects on Functional Trait Composition of Saproxylic Beetles in Beech Forests

With the aim of wood production with negligible negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem processes, a silvicultural practice of selective logging with natural regeneration has been implemented in European beech forests (Fagus sylvatica) during the last decades. Despite this near-to-nature strategy, species richness of various taxa is lower in these forests than in unmanaged forests. To develop guidelines to minimize the fundamental weaknesses in the current practice, we linked functional traits of saproxylic beetle species to ecosystem characteristics. We used continental-scale data from 8 European countries and regional-scale data from a large forest in southern Germany and forest-stand variables that represented a gradient of intensity of forest use to evaluate the effect of current near-to-nature management strategies on the functional diversity of saproxylic beetles. Forest-stand variables did not have a statistically significant effect on overall functional diversity, but they did significantly affect community mean and diversity of single functional traits. As the amount of dead wood increased the composition of assemblages shifted toward dominance of larger species and species preferring dead wood of large diameter and in advanced stages of decay. The mean amount of dead wood across plots in which most species occurred was from 20 to 60 m(3) /ha. Species occurring in plots with mean dead wood >60 m(3) /ha were consistently those inhabiting dead wood of large diameter and in advanced stages of decay. On the basis of our results, to make current wood-production practices in beech forests throughout Europe more conservation oriented (i.e., promoting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning), we recommend increasing the amount of dead wood to >20 m(3) /ha; not removing dead wood of large diameter (50 cm) and allowing more dead wood in advanced stages of decomposition to develop; and designating strict forest reserves, with their exceptionally high amounts of dead wood, that would serve as refuges for and sources of saproxylic habitat specialists.

Exhumation-Abduction with Violent Death in South Eastern Nigeria from 2007-2011

Aims & Objectives: This is to determine the cause of death of victims abducted as to aid justice to the relatives/nation and assist the law enforcement agent to conclude their investigation. Material and Methods: Eight People were abducted, five of which were men and three were females (two middle aged women and a young girl of about 20 years a grand daughter) that was abducted alongside with the aged grand mother. Results: Five of the cases were in advanced stages of decomposition but we were able to find the cause of death to be multiple soft tissue and skeletal injuries consequent to gunshots. The rest three though fresh bodies were seen with impressions of strangulation on the neck,ankle and the wrist with single shots either at heart,chest or liver regions. Conclusion: This has assisted for a truce in mitigating of justice and end to the missing individuals.

Biomarcadores derivados de planta e de microrganismos em solos de tabuleiros costeiros cultivados com eucalipto e acácia

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050987554Alterações no sistema de manejo pelo cultivo de diferentes povoamentos florestais e a utilização de rotação de culturas podem levar a alterações na qualidade da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e deposição de resíduos vegetais. O presente estudo avaliou o estádio de decomposição e a contribuição de compostos de origem vegetal e microbiana para a MOS por meio de biomarcadores, tais como: fenóis derivados de lignina, carboidratos e aminoaçúcares em monocultivos do Eucalyptus urograndis (clone do Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Spreng) de ciclo curto (sete anos), sistemas de cultivo de rotação de acácia (Acacia mangium Willd.) após monocultivo de eucalipto, monocultivo de eucalipto de ciclo longo (24 anos) e mata nativa (Mata Atlântica) como condição original de solo do litoral Norte do Espírito do Santo. Para tanto, foram estimados nas amostras de solo e serapilheira os teores de C orgânico total (COT), N total (NT), teores de fenóis derivados de lignina (VSC), carboidratos e aminoaçúcares derivados da atividade microbiana no solo e, as relações ácidos e aldeídos dos grupamentos vanilil ((Ac/Al)Vanilil) e siringil ((Ac/Al)Siringil) da lignina, relação hexoses/pentoses (H/P) dos carboidratos e, relações glucosamina/ácido murâmico (Gluc/Mur.) e glucosamina/galactosamina (Gluc/Gal) dos aminoaçúcares. Os resultados indicaram que na serapilheira do monocultivo de eucalipto de ciclo curto houve maior deposição da matéria seca, teor de lignina (VSC) e carboidratos, relação C/N e VSC/N; Semelhante proporção de resíduos grossos, resíduos finos e teor de C e, menor teor de N, comparado àquela sob rotação de acácia. No solo, o cultivo de acácia aumentou os teores de C, N e carboidratos, aumentou a relação ácido/aldeído do grupamento vanilil da lignina e a relação glucosamina/ácido murâmico dos aminoaçúcares derivados da atividade microbiana. O aumento do tempo de cultivo do eucalipto (24 anos) incrementou o teor de C e reduziu a relação VSC/N na MOS em comparação ao monocultivo de eucalipto de ciclo curto, e apresentou teor de C e N inferiores àqueles observados no solo de acácia e mata nativa. A menor relação ácidos/ aldeídos (Ac/Al) dos fenóis derivados de lignina no solo cultivado com eucalipto (de curto e longo ciclo) indica que a MOS encontra-se em estádio menos avançado de decomposição do que no solo cultivado com acácia, e naquele de mata nativa. Nos solos de acácia, seguido por aquele de eucalipto, a maior relação glucosamina/ácido murâmico sugere maior participação de fungos na comunidade microbiana, enquanto nas áreas de mata nativa e eucalipto de ciclo longo há mais abundância de compostos derivados de bactérias. Neste sentido, observou-se a recuperação na qualidade do solo cultivado com eucalipto de ciclo longo e rotacionado com acácia em relação ao monocultivo de eucalipto de ciclo curto.

Mixtures with grass litter may hasten shrub litter decomposition after shrub encroachment into mountain grasslands

Shrub encroachment in mesic grasslands alters the identity and quality of litters entering the system. As litter from shrubs and grasses can differ in their quality, this can lead to differences in litter decomposition by the direct effect of quality, but also to litter interaction during decomposition. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of non-additive effects of litter mixtures on the decomposition rates of legume shrub litter (poor in P) or conifer shrub litter (poor in N) and grass litter. In addition to single litter type litterbags for the three species, we mixed litters of each pair of possible combinations to determine the influence of each species on mass loss. Litterbags were placed in the field and collected after 1, 6, 8, 12 and 24 months. In each collection, litter of each species remaining in mixed bags was separated, dry weighed and analyzed for C, N and P. With respect to shrub litter decomposing alone, mass loss of shrub litter when mixed with grass showed a 9–10 % increase in decomposition rate for conifer and a 3 % increase for legume litter. These litter mixture effects varied with time and they were detected after a decomposition period of 1 year in legume litter and of 2 years in conifer litter. Grass litter hastened conifer and legume litter decomposition in leaf litter mixtures, at least during the first stages of the process. The potential consequences of this result to alter litter accumulation patterns and thus carbon sequestration rates after shrub encroachment into grasslands will depend on whether the observed trends are maintained in the advanced decomposition stages.

Totholzvolumen und -qualität in ausgewählten Schweizer Naturwaldreservaten

Deadwood volume and quality in selected swiss natural forest reserves Deadwood is structurally and functionally important for forest ecosystems. To date, there are hardly any data on the amount of deadwood in Swiss natural forests which can serve as reference value for deadwood management in managed forests. In this study, deadwood volumes and qualities (sizes, broadleaf/conifer ratios, decomposition stages) from six natural forest reserves were analysed and compared with data from managed forests as well as from natural and virgin forests. An average of 69 m3/ha with a broadleaf proportion of 66% was calculated for the six reserves. Deadwood volume in relation to the total volume was 12% on average. Overall the volume of lying deadwood was double the volume of standing deadwood. The average proportion of large deadwood (diameter >30 cm) was 48% and was higher in snags (52%) than in lying deadwood (46%). Advanced stages of decomposition made up 53% of the lying deadwood. The volumes, sizes and decomposition stages varied greatly within the reserves. In comparison, in the Swiss forests altogether, there is less deadwood (21.5 m3/ha, 5% of total volume), the deadwood is thinner (35% large deadwood proportion) and less decayed (proportion of advanced stages of decomposition 10%). However, deadwood volumes in the reserves are considerably lower than those in European natural beech forests and beech virgin forests. The investigated reserves are therefore, 40 to 92 years after the last silvicultural intervention, only at the beginning of the process of acquiring a virgin forest character.

Oil palm empty-fruit bunch application effects on the earthworm population and phenol contents under field conditions

The amounts of polyphenols at several stages of oil palm empty-fruit bunch (EFB) composting, the types of phenol compounds in several types of EFB composting processes and the effects of phenol compounds on EFB composting in an earthworm population were evaluated under field conditions. The amount of extractable phenols from decomposed EFB increased at the early stage of decomposition and decreased with increasing age of the EFB compost. The phenol content in soil with added EFB did not differ from that in the control soil. Under an open system and in the presence of soil, the phenol released from EFB easily degraded. The empty fruit bunches released phenol into their surroundings and no harmful effects were found on the earthworm population under the natural system. Using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) was identified in fresh EFB which was similar to the type of phenol compound in composted and field-decomposed EFB; 2,6- bis(1,1-dimethylethyl). In contrast, no phenolic compounds were detected in the vermicomposted EFB. This means that the vermicomposting process can be used to degrade toxic compounds such as phenol. Compared to normal compost, vermicompost contains fewer toxic compounds, which might be related to its advanced decomposition stages. Key words : Earthworm population, oil palm waste, EFB composting, phenolic compounds

Red-tailed Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (Fallén) (Insecta: Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Another insect important to forensic investigations, red-tailed flesh fly larvae invade carcasses that are in the early to advanced stages of decomposition, often arriving as early as blow flies. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Angelique Showman and C. Roxanne Connelly and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011.
 https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in896

Water retention in a peatland with organic matter in different decomposition stages

Peatlands are ecosystems formed by successive pedogenetic processes, resulting in progressive accumulation of plant remains in the soil column under conditions that inhibit the activity of most microbial decomposers. In Diamantina, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a peatland is located at 1366 m asl, in a region with a quartz-rich lithology and characteristic wet grassland vegetation. For this study, the peat area was divided in 12 transects, from which a total of 90 soil samples were collected at a distance of 20 m from each other. The properties rubbed fiber content (RF), bulk density (Bd), mineral material (MM), organic matter (OM), moisture (Moi) and maximum water holding capacity (MWHC) were analyzed in all samples. From three selected profiles of this whole area, samples were collected every 27 cm from the soil surface down to a depth of 216 cm. In these samples, moisture was additionally determined at a pressure of 10 kPa (Moi10) or 1500 kPa (Moi1500), using Richards' extractor and soil organic matter was fractionated by standard procedures. The OM decomposition stage of this peat was found to increase with soil depth. Moi and MWHC were highest in layers with less advanced stages of OM decomposition. The humin levels were highest in layers in earlier stages of OM decomposition and with higher levels of water retention at MWHC and Moi10. Humic acid contents were higher in layers at an intermediate stage of decomposition of organic matter and with lowest levels of water retention at MWHC, Moi10 and Moi1500.

Characterization of soil organic carbon in drained thaw-lake basins of Arctic Alaska using NMR and FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy

Arctic soils contain a large fraction of Earth’s stored carbon. Temperature increases in the Arctic may enhance decomposition of this stored carbon, shifting the role of Arctic soils from a net sink to a new source of atmospheric CO 2. Predicting the impact of Arctic warming on soil carbon reserves requires knowledge of the composition of the stored organic matter. Here, we employ solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared-photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) to investigate the chemical composition of soil organic matter collected from drained thaw-lake basins ranging in age from 0 to 5500 years before present (y BP). The 13C NMR and FTIR-PAS data were largely congruent. Surface horizons contain relatively large amounts of O-alkyl carbon, suggesting that the soil organic matter is rich in labile constituents. Soil organic matter decreases with depth with the relative amounts of O-alkyl carbon decreasing and aromatic carbon increasing. These data indicate that lower horizons are in a more advanced stage of decomposition than upper horizons. Nonetheless, a substantial fraction of carbon in lower horizons, even for ancient thaw-lake basins (2000–5500 y BP), is present as O-alkyl carbon reflecting the preservation of intrinsically labile organic matter constituents. Climate change-induced increases in the depth of the soil active layer are expected to accelerate the depletion of this carbon.

First record of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on human corpses in Iberian Peninsula

This article presents the first record of Hermetia illucens larvae on a human corpse in Spain (the second case report in Europe). Prepupae of H. illucens, and other insects, were recovered from the dead body of a 72-year-old man in an advanced stage of decomposition. The body was located in Reus (NE Spain), in October 1998. This article provides additional biological data on experimental studies and an update on the geographic distribution of this species in the Iberian Peninsula.

Searching the Soil: Forensic Importance of Edaphic Fauna After the Removal of a Corpse

Arthropods at different stages of development collected from human remains in an advanced stage of decomposition (following autopsy) and from the soil at the scene are reported. The corpse was found in a mixed deciduous forest of Biscay (northern Spain). Soil fauna was extracted by sieving the soil where the corpse lay and placing the remains in Berlese-Tullgren funnels. Necrophagous fauna on the human remains was dominated by the fly Piophilidae: Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen, 1826), mites Ascidae: Proctolaelaps epuraeae (Hirschmann, 1963), Laelapidae: Hypoaspis (Gaeolaelaps) aculeifer (Canestrini, 1884), and the beetle Cleridae: Necrobia rufipes (de Geer, 1775). We confirm the importance of edaphic fauna, especially if the deceased is discovered in natural environs. Related fauna may remain for days after corpse removal and reveal information related to the circumstances of death. The species Nitidulidae: Omosita depressa (Linnaeus, 1758), Acaridae: Sancassania berlesei (Michael, 1903), Ascidae: Zerconopsis remiger (Kramer, 1876) and P.epuraeae, Urodinychidae: Uroobovella pulchella (Berlese, 1904), and Macrochelidae: Glyptholaspis americana (Berlese, 1888) were recorded for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula.

The effect of particle shape on the activity of nanocrystalline TiO2 photocatalysts in phenol decomposition. Part 3: The importance of surface quality

Bare TiO2 photocatalysts made up of polyhedral nanoparticles have been prepared by flame hydrolysis. In order to obtain deeper understanding of the interplay between the properties determining the photocatalytic performance, surface, aggregation and photocatalytic properties have been analyzed and compared. The aggregation of nanoparticles in aqueous solution of NaCl was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. The average hydrodynamic diameters of the aggregates investigated under environmentally relevant conditions do not differ significantly in the pH range of 5–6. Zeta potential measurements were also done during DLS analysis, which revealed remarkably low pHIEP values for our flame made samples comparing to the commercial titanias. Furthermore an explicit correlation between the isoelectric points and the synthesis parameters was revealed. O 1s XP spectra for the high activity samples were also recorded and interpreted. Oxygen consumption experiments were used to test the photocatalytic activity in suspensions. The method was found to be not only rapid and inexpensive but also reasonably reproducible. Normalizing the oxygen consumption rate with the specific surface area of the sample and the concentration of the suspension, a good correlation could have been found with the traditionally determined photocatalytic activity. HPLC measurements were used to study the degradation mechanism of phenol via determining the concentration profile of various dihydroxy intermediates, i.e., hydroquinone (HQ) and pyrocatechol (PC). The quality of the photocatalyst strongly affects the maximum ratio of HQ:PC during the photocatalytic degradation process. For our catalysts higher pyrocatechol concentrations were measured than for Degussa P25. TOC measurements were used to follow the complete mineralization. Using our best photocatalysts (e.g., anatase:rutil ratio of 82:18 and mostly polyhedral particles, with 21m2/g BET surface area), phenol concentration decreased faster than for P25, however, the mineralization rate was somewhat lower. This can be attributed to the lower adsorption capacity of our polyhedral particles against PC and carboxylate containing intermediates formed during the more advanced stages of decomposition. These data elucidate, that hydrophilicity, O2-consumption properties and adsorption/complexation of the target compounds and their degradation products are equally important parameters in determining the photocatalytic performance of catalysts, which otherwise possess similar material properties.

A preliminary study of insect fauna on pig carcasses located in sugarcane in winter in southeastern Brazil

Minimum post-mortem intervals can be estimated based on analyses of the pattern of insect succession on a carcass. In order to successfully apply this approach, insect development rates must be considered with regard to local regional climatic conditions. This study is the first to analyse insect succession on carcasses decomposing in a sugarcane crop in Brazil. In all seasons, Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) were frequent visitors during the fresh and bloated stages of decomposition, whereas Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermistdae), Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Oxelytrum sp. (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were characteristic at the most advanced decomposition stages. The fact that climatic variations influence the occurrence of insect species and vegetation in the tropics may help to solve crimes through sampling of the local insect fauna, as may the fact that only certain groups of insects occur in specific regions of large countries like Brazil.

Effects of Decomposition on Gunshot Wound Characteristics: Under Moderate Temperatures with Insect Activity

Previous studies document characteristics of gunshot wounds shortly after they were inflicted. This study was conducted to determine if the early stages of decomposition obscure or alter the physical surface characteristics of gunshot wounds, thereby affecting the quantity and quality of information retrievable from such evidence. The study was conducted in August and September, 2005 in Nova Scotia, Canada in forested and exposed environments. Recently killed pigs were used as research models and were shot six times each at three different ranges (contact, 2.5 cm, and 1.5 m). Under these test conditions, the gunshot wounds maintained the characteristics unique to each gunshot range and changes that occurred during decomposition were not critical to the interpretation of the evidence. It was concluded that changes due to decomposition under the conditions tested would not affect the collection and interpretation of gunshot wound evidence until the skin was degraded in the late active or advanced decay stage of decomposition.

Atherosclerosis

An exhumed body of 40-year-old Hindu man was brought for repostmortem after 10 days of death with history of allegation of assault by mob. The body was in the advanced stage of decomposition with adipocere formation over chest, thigh, and arms. In the present case, atherosclerosis was present in the coronaries and aorta sufficiently enough to deduce the cause of death and to substantiate the first autopsy findings even in highly decomposed exhumed body.

Insects of forensic importance from Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil

The experiment was conducted throughout the year 2005, at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas campus. The objectives of the study were to analyze the decomposition of rabbit (Oryctolagus cunniculus L.) with mean weight 2.67 Kg carcass and describe the interaction of insects acting on it, as well as the insect's potential use in legal medicine. We collected 5.239 insect specimens; 1.827 of them were obtained from larvae collected from carcasses and reared. The specimens were identified and 20 species were of forensic importance. The species Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) were better indicators of post-mortem interval (PMI) because they occurred in all seasons and were the first to reach the carcass. Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), H. segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera, Calliphoridae), Muscina stabulans (Fallen, 1817) and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp, 1883) (Diptera, Muscidae) can disclose death time because they occur only in certain months of the year. Oxyletrum discicolle (Brulle, 1840) (Coleoptera, Silphidae) and Dermestes maculates De Geer, 1774 (Coleoptera, Desmestidae) were found in advanced stages of decomposition.

The Influence of Clothing and Wrapping on Carcass Decomposition and Arthropod Succession: A Winter Study in Central South Africa

ABSTRACTClothing and wrapping of a carcass creates an environment which may influence natural decomposition and arthropod succession. Six pig carcasses were divided into three sample groups, each with a clothed carcass wrapped in a sheet and a carcass wrapped but with no clothes. These were sampled daily, or after five and ten days. An additional two pig carcasses, one with no clothes or wrapping, the other with clothes and no wrapping, were also sampled daily as controls. There was a delay in oviposition on the exposed and wrapped carcasses of five and nine days, respectively. During the extended active stage of the decomposition process, there was not a clear successional pattern, possibly due to the lack of competition between the arthropods. Overall the wrapped carcasses retained a higher mass than the exposed carcasses, as they remained moist for a longer period of time. The Diptera species breeding on the carcasses included the Calliphoridae, Lucilia spp., Chrysomya chloropyga and Calliphora vicina, and Sarcophagidae spp. The Coleoptera community was dominated by adult Dermestes maculatus (Dermestidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae) which were present on the carcasses throughout the trial. During the more advanced stages of decomposition, Thanathopilus micans (Silphidae) larvae, succeeded by D. maculatus larvae, were present.