Cadaver Decomposition Research Articles

Changes in tissues and organs through PMCTA carrier substances.

To date, lipophilic contrast agents mixed with oil, usually paraffin oil, are the most commonly used contrast agents in post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA). Iodine-based hydrophilic contrast media in combination with a water-soluble carrier, e.g. polyethylene glycol (PEG), are also common. However, their influence on different tissues and organs is poorly understood. In order to analyse the changes in the cadavers caused by the different carrier substances, we evaluated the effects of PEG 200 and oil on the different tissues and organs. Therefore, during a forensic autopsy, liquid femoral vein blood and samples of different organs and vessels were taken and preserved at room temperature in the two liquids mentioned. The condition of the samples was documented during the autopsy and 24, 48 and 72h after preservation. Microscopic examination took place after 72h. After 24h, the samples placed in PEG 200 already showed a clear solidification of almost all structures. Crumbly blood agglomerates had formed in the previously liquid blood. In contrast, the samples stored in oil showed signs of classic cadaveric decomposition after 24h, which increased with time. The microscopic and immunohistochemical evaluation of the samples stored in PEG showed a good diagnostic quality. The analysis of tissues stored in oil was much more difficult due to putrefaction. PEG and oil show significantly different effects on human tissues, mainly conservation and dehydration are affected. It is crucial to be aware of these differences in order to choose the most appropriate PMCTA method for each forensic case.

Research Status of Sarcosaprophagous Beetles as Forensic Indicators.

In forensic entomology, research focused on sarcosaprophagous flies, but the sarcosaprophagous beetles, as important "forensic indicator species" of late-stage PMI in cadaver decomposition, received less attention. To increase attention on, and use and understanding of, sarcosaprophagous beetles in forensic entomology, this paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the available relevant literature. The occurrence frequency of beetle families and species from succession studies, actual cases, and experiments were calculated and illustrated using graphs. As a result, a total of 14 families and 1077 species associated with carcasses were collected, with Staphylinidae being the most frequently recorded among the families, and Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) being the most frequently recorded species. In addition, a brief introduction of the cadaver-related beetles of each family is given, and research on the species identification of the immature stages, age estimation of the immature stages, and estimation of the arrival time of sarcosaprophagous beetles are discussed and prospected. This work will aid in the increased use of sarcosaprophagous beetles in forensic science practice in the future.

Insects on Decomposing Pigs and their Forensic Importance at a University in Nigeria

The use of insects to estimate post-mortem interval (PMI) of cadavers by forensic entomologists, is an innovative science enshrined in the medico-criminal system of the developed world. The science is dependent on the biology of insect species that are found in decomposing cadavers. Thus, insect species that are found on decomposing pigs as model to human cadaver, was studied during the rainy and dry seasons of 2021 in a University forest in Nigeria. The decomposition stages (fresh through skeletonization) of the pig cadavers were monitored, and insects found on them were collected with a sweep net, visually observed, and handpicked. They were identified morphologically using insect identification keys with the aid of a dissecting microscope. The tissues of the pig cadavers decomposed completely in 14 and 10 days, respectively, for dry and rainy seasons. Twenty-seven insect species belonging to the orders; Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera were identified. The dipterans consist of the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Ulidiidae, and Stratiomyidae. The coleopteran families are the Carabidae, Chrysomelidae, Cleridae, Dermestidae, Histeridae, Scarabaeidae, and Staphylinidae, while Formicidae is the only family for the hymenopteran. The dipteran species were the first group to visit the cadavers during fresh, bloated, and wet decay stages while the coleopterans visited during wet and dry decay stages thus, creating a succession pattern on the cadavers. The insect species that aided the cadaver decomposition at different stages are discussed as forensic indicators, which could be useful as PMI estimators of the study area.

Carcass decay inhibits denitrification indirectly by regulating the microbiota and physicochemical properties in a model water system

Abstract Animal carcass decomposition is involved in nitrogen (N) cycle in the aquatic ecosystems, for example denitrification, volatilization and leaching. The denitrification process is a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle, helping to alleviate biological toxicity resulting from nitrate accumulation. However, it is still unknown whether and how cadaver decay affects the denitrifiers and their activity in river water. In this study, six denitrifiers (encoding napA, narG, nirK, nirS, norB and nosZ, respectively) and denitrifying activity were investigated in a model water system with nitrogen pollution from corpse decomposition using high‐throughput sequencing, real‐time quantitative PCR and denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) assay. Cadaver decay increased the quantity and altered the composition of denitrifying microbiota. Multiple regression on distance matrices revealed that corpse decay had a significantly greater impact on the denitrification communities than temperature. To our surprise, the DEA decreased in the contaminated water by cadavers. The multiple regression models revealed that the abundance of denitrifying taxa and the gene copies may jointly predict changes in DEA, with highest contribution coming from the norB‐type Hydrogenophaga. Further, the partial least squares path model (PLS‐PM) showed that corpse decay indirectly inhibited DEA via the denitrification community and water physicochemical properties. Synthesis and applications. This study provides important insights into how cadaver decomposition can reduce denitrification activity in water systems. These findings can assist us in scientifically managing and remediating polluted water bodies.

The influence of rehydration on decomposition in the Highveld region of South Africa-Using a pig model.

Researchers have observed that rainfall may re-initiate decomposition in desiccated tissue; however, no conclusive research-based evidence exists on the specific effects of rehydration on decomposition. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of artificial rehydration on the progression of decomposition following the advanced stage of decomposition. Twelve adult pig cadavers (8 experimental; 4 controls) were placed in the central Highveld of South Africa during cooler (April-July 2021) and warmer (August-November 2021) months. Decomposition was scored approximately biweekly to obtain the total body score, and accumulated degree days (ADD) were calculated for each pig. All pig cadavers were covered by chicken wire cages with transparent tarps to control for natural rehydration and scavenging. Once the experimental pig cadavers reached a three-visit stasis in the advanced phase of decomposition, they were artificially rehydrated, and changes in the progression of decomposition between the control and experimental groups were plotted (ADD against TBS) for observation. The rehydrated experimental pig cadavers showed re-initiation of decay and insect re-colonization, while the control cadavers mainly remained in a state of stasis with insect activity ceased altogether. Greater cadaver decomposition islands and a color change post-rehydration were also noted in some experimental cadavers. This supports the need for future research on the impact of rehydration, including associated soil moisture on decomposition rates, progression, and invertebrate colonization, which will enhance our understanding of the effects these environmental factors have on the accuracy of post-mortem interval estimation.

The taphonomic effects of long-term burial in the South African Highveld

Taphonomy studies the environmental effects on remains from the time of deposition to the time of recovery and has been integrated into the field of forensic anthropology. The changes to skeletal remains are dependent on the method of disposal and the surrounding environment. This study focused on buried remains where the type and chemical composition of the soil and the microorganisms present need to be considered. The aim was to investigate the type, frequency, and correlations of the taphonomic alterations of buried domestic pigs. Six taphonomic alterations were observed which included depositional staining, adipocere formation, bone weathering, acidic soil corrosion, and plant, and animal activity. Depositional staining, weathering and plant activity were the most common alterations followed by adipocere which was present on 92.3% of the remains. The bones were mostly stained dark brown and brown; however, the trunk region was the only region to present with black staining. The right sides were darker than the left due to the body positioning as most pigs were placed on their right sides and thus were in direct contact with the cadaver decomposition island. Additionally, the right sides presented with more adipocere as well as increased plant activity suggesting that the soil retained water. Darker stains were correlated with a more complete skeleton as adipocere provides some protection. The study confirms that there are various complicated relationships between different taphonomic alterations. A good understanding of them is needed in forensic anthropology to assist in reconstructing the events that occur after death.

From death comes life: Large vertebrate carrion enhances seedling establishment in clonal ericaceous shrubs

Abstract Carrion can have disproportionally large effects on ecological processes and community dynamics. During decomposition, the influx of growth‐limiting nutrients can create small‐scale disturbances with high soil cover known as ‘cadaver decomposition islands’ (CDIs). Such disturbances can allow for altered plant species composition, increased biomass production or provide microsites for regeneration. Carcasses also provide a resource for omnivorous scavengers, which have the potential to direct endozoochorous seed dispersal towards developing CDIs. In this study, we investigated functional links between the scavenger community, carcass‐induced disturbances in vegetation and the seedling establishment of berry‐producing ericaceous species. We experimentally placed out 30 vertebrate carcasses of various species in a boreal forest ecosystem, each paired with a control and a mechanically disturbed plot to track vertebrate animal activity (i.e. dispersal vectors), vegetation changes (i.e. recruitment windows) and seedling establishment. We hypothesized that carcass size and season of experimental deposition would affect (H1) scavenger community composition and (H2) formation of CDIs, and that (H3) seedling establishment of ericaceous species is more abundant at CDIs compared with control or disturbed plots without carcass deposition. We found that carcass presence effectively created a spatiotemporal hotspot of animal activity and that 94% of observations of vertebrates at carcasses were of species with the potential for ericaceous seed dispersal. Larger carcasses (e.g. moose, reindeer) attracted similar and abundant vertebrate communities, whereas observations at small carcasses (e.g. red fox) resembled those at control plots (H1). Only larger carcasses led to CDI formation (i.e. potential recruitment microsites), while plots with small carcasses resembled control plots (H2). Surprisingly, the season of carcass deposition did not influence vertebrate composition at carcass plots or CDI formation (H1–2). Seedlings were significantly more abundant in CDIs compared with mechanical disturbance and control plots (H3). Overall, CDIs contained about 4 and 19 times more seedlings compared with disturbed and controls, respectively. Our study demonstrates how individual carcasses in a boreal forest landscape can facilitate sexual reproduction in ericaceous keystone species. We suggest that this pathway also occurs in other ecosystems and that it may contribute to the genetic diversity of plant populations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

A conserved interdomain microbial network underpins cadaver decomposition despite environmental variables

Microbial breakdown of organic matter is one of the most important processes on Earth, yet the controls of decomposition are poorly understood. Here we track 36 terrestrial human cadavers in three locations and show that a phylogenetically distinct, interdomain microbial network assembles during decomposition despite selection effects of location, climate and season. We generated a metagenome-assembled genome library from cadaver-associated soils and integrated it with metabolomics data to identify links between taxonomy and function. This universal network of microbial decomposers is characterized by cross-feeding to metabolize labile decomposition products. The key bacterial and fungal decomposers are rare across non-decomposition environments and appear unique to the breakdown of terrestrial decaying flesh, including humans, swine, mice and cattle, with insects as likely important vectors for dispersal. The observed lockstep of microbial interactions further underlies a robust microbial forensic tool with the potential to aid predictions of the time since death.

Conditioned Canine Cadavers for Near-Natural Interprofessional Veterinary and Human Surgery Training.

Both medical and veterinary students find that the use of cadavers is critical to learning anatomical structures and surgical techniques. The use of human cadavers and the resulting user emotions are driven by serious ethical issues that are currently much less pronounced in veterinary education. Ethically sourced canine cadavers, thus, are more readily available. Aesthetics such as odor and visual appearance, though, influence both learner and educator motivation.We have investigated a way of delaying cadaver decomposition by post-mortem in situ, chemical-free, gastrointestinal lavage.We are convinced that canine cadavers, conditioned as described here, will improve the outcome of cadaver-based surgical skills training by facilitating preparation, reducing the number of required cadavers, postponing decomposition, improving the surgeon's haptic-tactile response to organ and tissue handling and suturing, and, possibly most importantly, increasing learners' and educators' focus due to the significantly improved aesthetics. We hypothesize that skill transfer for medical students and doctors, because of the similar abdominal anatomy, may be easier when training with conditioned canine cadavers as compared to artificial simulators or pigs in vivo.

The Identification Potential of Atherosclerotic Calcifications in the Context of Forensic Anthropology.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that, in its more developed stages, can lead to the calcification of fatty plaques on the walls of arteries, resulting in the appearance of new bone elements. It is a condition that has been studied and documented little in the context of paleopathology, especially in the framework of forensic anthropology. This article analyzed the skeletal remains of 71 individuals (35 females and 36 males) from the Luís Lopes Identified Collection of the National Museum of Natural History and Science in Lisbon, 31 of whom had an autopsy report. An attempt was made to ascertain whether these bone elements resulting from atherosclerotic calcification would resist cadaveric decomposition and whether they would be recoverable several years after burial, and a survey was carried out of their distribution according to sex and age, as well as their association with other pathologies, such as osteoporosis and cardiac and renal pathologies. An imaging analysis of an atherosclerotic plaque was also carried out to complement the macroscopic analysis and present other methods of identifying plaques. It was concluded that each atherosclerotic calcification has a unique profile, which can be useful for identification, especially in cases where the individual shows a severe condition. In terms of identification potential, the analysis of calcified atherosclerotic plaques can be useful, as they can corroborate or reject an identification. However, it always requires the existence of ante-mortem imaging exams and must always be used in addition to other identification methods. Regardless of the identification, these plaques are bone elements resulting from a pathology and should, therefore, be known and recognized by the scientific community.

Deciphering the microbial signature of death: advances in post-mortem microbial analysis

Cadaver decomposition is a natural phenomenon intimately affected by numerous organisms such as insects, fungi, animals, and bacteria where they use the decaying body as their nutrition source. These organisms can be utilized in forensic science to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). The post-mortem interval refers to the time that has passed since the death of a person until the body was found. Forensic entomology is one of the popular approaches where successive colonization of insects on cadaver is studied to estimate PMI. However, sometime this method does not provide consistent results due to lack of insect activities during cold environment conditions or when crime scene is indoor. Therefore, a new approach is needed to aid forensic scientists to estimate PMI. Recently, researchers have noted that microbial communities have shown a predictable and clockwise successional pattern on decomposing cadavers and suggested this could be utilized to estimate PMI when this approach is etched with other established methods. The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the studies that have been conducted on the utility of microbial communities in estimating PMI and discuss the role of microbial communities in cadaver decomposition.

Seasonal mouse cadaver microbial study: rupture time and postmortem interval estimation model construction.

The estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) has long been a focal point in the field of forensic science. Following the death of an organism, microorganisms exhibit a clock-like proliferation pattern during the course of cadaver decomposition, forming the foundation for utilizing microbiology in PMI estimation. The establishment of PMI estimation models based on datasets from different seasons is of great practical significance. In this experiment, we conducted microbiota sequencing and analysis on gravesoil and mouse intestinal contents collected during both the winter and summer seasons and constructed a PMI estimation model using the Random Forest algorithm. The results showed that the MAE of the gut microbiota model in summer was 0.47±0.26 d, R2 = 0.991, and the MAE of the gravesoil model in winter was 1.04 ± 0.22d, R2 = 0.998. We propose that, in practical applications, it is advantageous to selectively build PMI estimation models based on seasonal variations. Additionally, through a combination of morphological observations, gravesoil microbiota sequencing results, and soil physicochemical data, we identified the time of cadaveric rupture for mouse cadavers, occurring at around days 24-27 in winter and days 6-9 in summer. This study not only confirms previous research findings but also introduces novel insights, contributing to the foundational knowledge necessary to advance the utilization of microbiota for PMI estimation.

A soil-based approach on human taphonomy from five Portuguese public cemeteries

ABSTRACT Over the last decade, some Portuguese cemeteries have started to have issues with the lack of burial space, mainly due to the slow rate of cadaveric decomposition, hindering the reuse of soil graves as is common practice. To better understand the influence of soil on human taphonomy and help in cemetery management, the main goal of this research was to explore possible relationships between body decay and edaphic traits. A total of 217 soil samples were collected from graves of five public cemeteries and analysed for their soil organic matter content, moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, texture, and colour. Five grave sampling areas were considered: the topsoil, above the coffin, and under the coffin in the head, pelvis and feet areas. Statistically significant differences have been found between the graves of skeletonized and incompletely skeletonized bodies for moisture above the coffin (p = 0.035) and for electrical conductivity in the topsoil (p = 0.014). Although the number of individuals (n = 56) studied might be considered low, this paper explores the possibility that soil itself might not be the main influencer on human taphonomy. A new perspective should be considered regarding the role played by intrinsic factors after death.

Evaluation of the ecotoxicological effects of biogenic amines derived from cadaverous putrefaction on springtails Folsomia candida.

Necro-leachate, a liquid released during cadaveric decomposition, is considered the main culprit for impacts on cemetery environments. The biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine make up part of the composition of necro-leachate and have a certain toxicity to different organisms. Springtails are among the most used bioindicators to assess the impacts of soil contaminants. As there are no data on the acute and chronic toxicity of springtails exposed to cadaverine and putrescine, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic potential of both amines, under the behavioral effect of avoidance and reproduction in the species Folsomia candida. Springtails were exposed to soils contaminated with different concentrations of cadaverine and putrescine, and different mixtures of these amines. To evaluate the avoidance and reproduction test, the individuals were exposed for periods of 48h and 28days, respectively. The results obtained in the avoidance test showed that springtails exhibited a preference for the treated soil in both isolated and mixed treatments. The chronic evaluation assays showed that the reproduction was affected, particularly in the treatments with combined amines, resulting in a reduction in the total number of juveniles. From the results, it is possible to infer that the methods applied in this research have provided information that will contribute to a better understanding of the toxicity of putrefactive biogenic amines, since there exist few ecotoxicological studies carried out with these amines, and especially with those from cemetery environments.

Postmortem tissue changes and dynamics of their impedance parameters: a preclinical experimental study

Background. Establishing regularities in postmortem intervals comprises one of the main tasks of the forensic science of death and cadaveric phenomena. The knowledge of these regularities is directly related to reconstructing the postmortem conditions and, consequently, to determining the postmortem interval. Objective. To analyze postmortem changes in cadaver tissues and dynamics of their impedance parameters under the conditions of natural biocenosis. Methods. The study involved the cadavers of model biological objects – eight pigs, aged one to two months, weighing up to 10 kg. Experimental studies of cadaver decomposition were carried out under natural biocenosis conditions, daily for 28 days with two replications. Changes in cadaver tissues during decomposition were recorded and analyzed. The subject of biophysical studies was the tissue impedance parameters of three diagnostic zones of the biological object: the musculocutaneous flap, the cartilaginous part of the third rib and the calcaneal tendon. Impedance measurements for each postmortem interval were performed at five studied current frequencies: 100 and 120 Hz, 1, 10 and 100 kHz. A total of 2,400 readings were taken. Statistical analysis of the study results was carried out by means of Statistica 8.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results. Postmortem biological changes in cadaver tissues correlate with the nature of their impedance dynamics. The study of impedance under conditions of natural biocenosis established its identical dependence on the postmortem interval for all current frequencies of the study of all diagnostic zones of model biological objects: in the initial interval of 0–4 days, the impedance gives a “surge” followed by a smoother decrease. Cadaver tissues were recorded to indicate the presence of impedance dispersion in general in the studied frequency range and the absence of dispersion directly for high frequencies. Conclusion. Understanding the causes and essence of postmortem processes contributes to assessing and substantiating changes in any characteristics of tissues measured quantitatively, including impedance indicators, as well as to predicting the prospects of their use for specific practical purposes, in particular, for determining the postmortem interval.

Subaerial Decomposition of Small-Sized Remains in The Netherlands: Important Findings Regarding the PMI of a Four-Year Taphonomic Study.

Studying post-mortem changes based on signs of decomposition (e.g., using scoring models) is one of the methods used in scientific studies to relate observable changes to the post-mortem interval (PMI). The majority of the studies on cadaver decomposition are based on large cadavers. There is limited literature on the decomposition pattern and rate of small cadavers, even though it is at least as important to be able to estimate the PMI for infants and subadults. Therefore, it is crucial to acquire knowledge of the decomposition process of child-sized remains. To fill this knowledge gap, a season-based subaerial outdoor decomposition study was conducted with small pig cadavers at the Forensic Anthropological Outdoor Research Facility located in Den Ham, The Netherlands, over a period of 4 years. Den Ham is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border, and has a temperate maritime climate, with a Cfb classification according to the Köppen-Geiger system. Salient findings were acquired during the decomposition study, specifically regarding a deviating decomposition rate during winter and the subsequent spring, reproducibility, the effect of body weight, post-mortem movement, the effect of heavy rainfall on insect activity, delayed bloating, the interaction of different insect species, and invertebrate activity. This article includes a systemic review of the results obtained during this four-year decomposition study and discusses the impact of the findings on the estimation of the PMI.

Insect Colonisation and the Decomposition Process in Aerated versus Watertight Burial Systems.

In recent years, burial systems have covered increasingly higher costs due to the pollution caused by decomposition products. These products are understood as chemicals and microorganisms in the surrounding soil and groundwater and represent a topical issue. The purpose of this research was to ascertain the extent of decomposition when pig carcasses are buried in two different burial systems ("aerated" vs. "watertight") and catalogue the arthropods associated with burials at different time-points of removal from niches (after 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months). Thirteen taxa were collected in aerated niches, whereas five were collected in watertight niches. The initial access or exclusion of insect colonisers affected overall functional activity. Two Diptera species, Hydrotaea capensis and Megaselia scalaris, were the most abundant, supporting the hypothesis that insects can colonise carcasses in aerated burial systems. Furthermore, some species of bacteria have been documented as facilitators of the initial decomposition process of the carcass. Most bacterial colonies develop only in aerated niches. The trial showed that the first enzymatic-bacterial and insect actions helped promote the process of cadaveric decomposition and later skeletonisation, mainly when associated with aeration modes of the tomb/mound. The results obtained provide essential information on the process of human decomposition and taphonomy in cemeteries. Moreover, these data could benefit forensic science by adding information on insect colonisation and body modification in medico-legal investigations concerning the post-mortem interval in exhumed bodies and illegal burials.

ENTOMOFAUNA DE INTERES FORENSE ASOCIADA AL PROCESO DE DESCOMPOSICIÓN CADAVÉRICA DE Sus scrofa EN ÉPOCA DE VERANO EN UN DISTRITO DEL NORTE DEL PERÚ

Necrophagous insects, mainly Diptera and Coleoptera, are involved in the cadaveric decomposition process depending on time ofstudy and location, are important to estimate the postmortem interval. Pigs have become the most frequently used animal model in forensic science. The objective of this research was to identify the genera and/or species of necrophagous insects in the five stages of the cadaveric decomposition process, at the time of summer 2018 taking place in an urban area of Nuevo Chimbote (Ancash, Peru), using SusscrofaL. as an animal model. It was used a 12-kg pig carcass, recently euthanized and kept for 70 days, at an average temperature of 24.26°C and an average relative humidity of 66.96% inside a Schoenly-type trap to capture insects. Insects of the Diptera and Coleoptera orders were found in the different phases of decomposition: In the initial phase (two days) only dipterous insects, Sarcophagasp., Chrysomyaalbiceps, Cochliomyiamacellariaand Luciliacuprinawere identified; in the phase of active putrefaction(two days) the same species of diptera and coleoptera, Necrobiarufipesand Dermestesfrischii; in the advanced putrefaction phase (three days) the same species and also Muscadomesticadiptera; in the fermentation phase (11 days) the same species and also beetle Ammophorusperuvianus; and in the skeletonization phase (52 days) only beetles Saprinussp., Necrobiarufipesand Dermestesfrischiiwere identified. The results of this study indicate that in an open environment in an urban area of Nuevo Chimbote(Ancash, Peru), in summer season (January-March), the entomofauna was associated with the decomposition of S. scrofwhich is composed of five species of the order Diptera and four of the order Coleoptera. In addition, it was possible to observe that in the initial phase only diptera were present and in the final phase (skeletation) only coleoptera, which could be used as decomposition markers.

Decomposition and insect succession of pig cadavers in tents versus outdoors – A preliminary study

The pattern of insect succession and the species composition on cadavers can be influenced by several parameters, one of which is concealment. It has been previously shown for cadavers inside containers (e.g. suitcases or vehicles) or various indoor situations, that concealment can lead to a delayed arrival, altered species composition and decreased number of taxa present at the cadaver. As no data is yet available for the specific environment of tents on these processes, we placed five pig cadavers inside closed two-person tents during the summer of 2021 in a mixed forest in Germany. Five control cadavers were freely accessible for insects. To minimize disturbances, tents were only opened every fifth day over a period of 25 days for estimating the temperature profiles, insect diversity and quantification of the cadavers’ decomposition using the total body score (TBS).The temperature inside the tents was only slightly elevated compared to the ambient temperature during the study. Although the tents prevented direct access of adult flies and beetles, the cadavers were colonized because the flies oviposited on the zippers and fly screens of the inner tents. However, the resulting infestation of the cadavers by fly larvae was reduced and delayed, compared to the exposed cadavers. The dominant fly species on both the tent and exposed cadavers was the blow fly Lucilia caesar. Open cadavers showed the expected decomposition patterns with large larval masses. 25 days after placement, only bones and hair remained from the exposed pigs (TBS = 32), while most of the tissue of the cadavers inside the tents was still present (TBS = 22.5) and post feeding larvae were not able to leave the tents. Regarding the attraction of beetles to both treatments, open cadavers were predominately colonized by the silphid Oiceoptoma thoracicum, while the silphid Necrodes littoralis was the most dominant species in the pitfall traps surrounding the tents. Considering the prolonged pre-appearance interval of fly larvae colonizing the cadavers inside tents, the entomological evidence of forensic cases dealing with concealed bodies should be handled with caution, since the post mortem interval might be significantly underestimated.

Effect of thiamethoxam (organophosphate) on the flies and beetle visitation and cadaveric decomposition process

Effect of thiamethoxam (organophosphate) on the flies and beetle visitation and cadaveric decomposition process