Human Corpses Research Articles

Death, flies and environments: Towards a qualitative assessment of insect (Diptera) colonization of human cadavers retrieved from sites of death in Brazil

Empirical data on decomposition ecology have long established blowflies (Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) (Diptera) as the most frequent colonizers of carrion, especially at early stages of decomposition. However, the scarcity of studies based on human cadavers has hindered inferences about colonization of homicide victims in real case scenarios. We describe here a survey of insects associated with cadavers retrieved from the site of death in Northeastern Brazil, with emphasis on the association between species diversity and the surrounding environment. We examined 81 cadavers, most of which were of men and resulting from violent death. Twelve cadavers (14.8 %) contained insect larvae, which were reared in the laboratory until adult emergence and identification. Ten species of Diptera effectively colonized the cadavers; seven of Family Calliphoridae – Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830), Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) and three of Family Sarcophagidae, Blaesoxipha (Gigantotheca) stallengi (Lahille, 1907), Microcerella halli (Engel, 1931) and Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830). The species C. albiceps and C. macellaria were the most frequent colonizers, while Sarcophagidae was reported in only four cases. Insects were present on cadavers found in urban (n = 8) and rural (n = 4) sites, outdoors (n = 6) and inside (n = 6) residences. Presence of larvae was more frequent in the natural orifices in the head (n = 11). Clothing did not prevent from ovi/larviposition for most species. We present the first register of B. stallengi colonizing human corpses and expand the knowledge on the geographical distribution of necrophagous insects. Our protocol may contribute to forensic entomology in areas exposed to fast decomposition, such as the Neotropical Region.

Necroviolence in the archaeological evidence. Mass crimes in the Szpęgawski Forest, Poland and the materiality of Aktion 1005

ABSTRACT The first few months of Second World War were marked by numerous mass crimes against humanity committed by Third Reich civil servants on citizens of the Second Polish Republic – local intelligentsia, people with mental disorders, and the Jewish minority. The bodies were then disposed of by hiding them in mass graves. In the second half of 1944, the Nazis returned to the scenes of the crimes to delete the traces of mass executions – as part of a special operation (Aktion 1005) and cover up all evidence of their crimes. This article analyzes the process undertaken by the Nazis to destroy graves as part of Aktion 1005 through the concept of necroviolence on human corpses – defined by Jason De León, as, ‘the intentional infliction of violence on human corpses’. The following case study presents evidence excavated during archaeological research conducted in the Szpęgawski Forest in Gdańsk Pomerania, Poland.

The Object Protected by the Criminalization of Insult to a Human Corpse in Polish Law

The insult of a human corpse is one of the oldest crimes. The guarantee of the inviolability of a human body after death, as well as the cult of the deceased are considered a precursors of religious faith. In the early periods of social development, the protection of corpses and burial sites stemmed from the prevailing religious beliefs among community members. Hence, in legal orders, it was religion, religious feelings, worship of the deceased, and others that were the main objects protected by the criminalization of insulting a corpse. To date, such a position remains popular and widely accepted. However, with the progress of civilization, more attention is beginning to be paid to the fact that the legal protection of human corpses is independent of religion. The purpose of the article is to point out the multiplicity of definitions of the object protected by the criminalization of insulting a corpse and thereby make the reader aware that both the law and the values cultivated in society are dynamic institutions. This will make lawyers aware that their activity should not only focus on passive acceptance and repetition of the established truths and values, but also prompt them to figure out new ones or to search for new justifications that are more suitable in the current reality.

A new vessel filled and heart-beating human corpse model for VATS lobectomy training

BackgroundNowadays, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy represents the treatment of choice for early-stage lung cancer. Over the years, different methods for VATS training have evolved. The aim of this study is to present an innovative beating-heart filled-vessel cadaveric model to simulate VATS lobectomies.MethodsVia selective cannulation of the cadaver heart, the pulmonary vessels were filled with a gel to improve their haptic feedback. An endotracheal tube with a balloon on its tip then allowed movement of the heart chambers, transmitting a minimum of flow to the pulmonary vessels. A simulated OR was created, using all instrumentation normally available during surgery on living patients, with trainees constantly mentored by experienced surgeons. At the end of each simulation, the participants were asked 5 questions on a scale of 1 to 10 to evaluate the effectiveness of the training method (“1” being ineffective and “10” being highly effective).ResultsEight models were set up, each with a median time of 108 min and a cost of €1500. Overall, 50 surgeons were involved, of which 39 (78%) were consultants and 11 (22%) were residents (PGY 3–5). The median scores for the 5 questions were 8.5 (Q1; IQR1–3 8-9), 8 (Q2; IQR1–3 7–9), 9 (Q3; IQR1–3 8–10), 9 (Q4; IQR1–3 8–10), and 9 (Q5; IQR1–3 8–10). Overall, the model was most appreciated by young trainees even though positive responses were also provided by senior surgeons.ConclusionsWe introduce a new beating-heart filled-vessel cadaveric model to simulate VATS lobectomies. From this initial experience, the model is cost effective, smooth to develop, and realistic for VATS simulation.

Development and intrapuparial characterization of Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Curran and Walley, 1934) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) for application in forensic entomology

The family Sarcophagidae is very diverse in Brazil. Due to their living habits, they are the subject of many medical, veterinary, sanitary, and entomological studies. However, Sarcophagidae species are still poorly studied in forensic entomology, although they are frequently reported in carcasses and even human corpses. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the developmental stages and intrapuparial morphological characteristics of Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor to serve as an auxiliary tool in forensic entomology. The pupae collected after zero hour at 27 °C and 32 °C were sacrificed every three hours until the first 24 h and then every six hours until the emergence of the first adults, using 30 pupae each time, totaling 1560 for 27 °C and 1290 for 32 °C. The intrapuparial development time of this fly species under laboratory-controlled conditions was 288 h at 27 °C and 228 h at 32 °C. The 2820 pupae were analyzed according to temperature and classified into eight possible stages. This contributed to the selection of 16 key morphological characteristics to identify the age of the pupae. The identified intrapupal morphological characteristics have great potential to help researchers, experts, technical assistants, and forensic entomologists estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) of cadavers.

The Religious Basis of Contemporary Law

Religion and law intermingled and influenced each other both in the early stages of the formation of society and in the subsequent processes of its development. It is impossible to say unequivocally which of the two developed earlier or which had a greater influence on the modern form of the other. Today, questions concerning the relationship between law and religion are rarely the subject of research. The prevailing view that proclaims the secularisation of law, while undoubtedly justified, seems to overlook the religious origins of many modern secular institutions of law, such as, equality before the law, social policy, parental authority or the posthumous protection of human corpses and graves. As it seems, the move away from religious justification of legal institutions is a valid solution, prompting legal scholarship to seek explanations for the functioning of the legal system. The purpose of this article is to point out that law and religion intermingled in the creation of their final forms, resulting in the spread of legal institutions derived from norms of a religious nature. This encourages the creation (or denotation) of legally protected values and the search for their scientific (non-religious) basis.

Mandibular torus thickness associated with age: Postmortem computed tomographic analysis

Age estimation is an essential step in identifying human corpses. Several mandibular landmarks have been highlighted as skeletal sites for age estimation since aging causes morphological changes. Reports suggest that mandibular torus size may be associated with aging; however, thorough investigation has not been performed owing to the difficulty in measuring it. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between age and mandibular torus thickness using postmortem computed tomography data from Japanese corpses. This study included 2,792 corpses with mean (standard deviation) age of 58.0 (22.4) years (range, 0–101 years) and 67.6 % males. Further, 2,662 (95.3 %), 14 (0.5 %), 59 (2.1 %), and 57 (2.0 %) corpses were in the permanent, mixed, primary, and predental dentition periods, respectively. Multivariable analysis was performed to quantify the impact of age on mandibular torus thickness, adjusting for sex, height, weight, and occlusal contact status. The model also included an interaction term between age and occlusal status because of the potential effect modification by occlusion. Results of the multivariable regression analysis showed that mandibular torus thickness increased with age (the regression coefficients (95 % confidence interval) were 0.6 (0.2–1.0), 0.7 (0.3–1.0), 1.0 (0.6–1.4), 1.3 (0.9–1.7), 1.3 (0.8–1.8), and 1.1 (0.4–1.7) for age groups 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and 80–89 years, respectively), especially in males with occlusal contact. A significant association between mandibular torus thickness and age, modified by occlusal status and sex, was identified. Therefore, data regarding the thickness of the mandibular torus and occlusal status may be useful for age estimation in human corpses.

An illustrated identification key to early instar larvae of forensically important Muscidae (Diptera) of the western Palaearctic region

There is a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive identification keys for the early larval stages of forensically important fly species. While well-documented identification keys exist for the third instar larvae, particularly for the Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae families, there is a notable scarcity of keys for the first, except Calliphoridae, and the second instar larvae, with no such resources available for muscid species. The second instar larvae suffer the most from the lack of morphological descriptions and available identification keys. The Muscidae is one of the most frequently reported dipteran families of forensic importance colonising animal cadavers and human corpses. Nevertheless, descriptions of the morphology of their early instars remain scarce and limited to only a few species, thus their larval identification is challenging or impossible. Considering the numerous challenges associated with studying small-sized entomological material, we tested whether it is feasible to identify muscid flies to the species or at least genus level based predominantly on the details of the cephaloskeleton. To overcome the obstacle of observing details of small sclerites, especially their shapes and interconnections, we effectively employed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as a supplementary method for light microscopy (LM). This study provides an identification key for first and second instar larvae of forensically important muscid species from the western Palaearctic (Europe, North Africa, Middle East). The proposed key primarily utilises details of the cephaloskeleton with only addition of external morphology.

CT analysis of skull contents in naturally mummified human corpses, a multicentric study

IntroductionThis study aimed to assess skull contents, brain appearance, and density on postmortem computed tomography in naturally mummified corpses. Material and MethodsFor this purpose, a retrospective multicentric study, including mummified corpses from two French centers (Brest and Nantes) and from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (USA), was performed by analyzing postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) focused on the head and neck of partially or fully mummified corpses discovered between 2011 and 2022. The PMCT analysis provided data on the CT appearance of brains, allowing them to be classified into four different categories (desiccation, liquefaction, dura mater only (DMO), and absence), and to measure densities (HU) of the brain remains. In addition, data on postmortem intervals (PMI) from Nantes and Brest centers were collected and analyzed to test the link between brain densities and PMIs. Results54 cases of naturally mummified corpses were included. The brains were classified as liquefied (56%), desiccated (17 %), DMO (20 %), and absent (7 %) based on their CT appearance. Dehydrated brains were significantly (p < 0.004) denser (median 102 HU, interquartile range (IQR) 41) than either liquefied brains (median 39.5 HU, IQR 9) or brains with DMO (median -25 HU, IQR 57). However, the density of brain remains was not significantly affected by where the bodies were found (p = 0,41). Analysis of PMI and brain densities was performed on 22 cases. The results showed that brain remains were significantly (p = 0.039) denser when they were found after a PMI of more than six months. ConclusionBrain desiccation was the aspect with the highest densities on PMCT, and for which we were able to highlight great preservation of anatomical structures observable in living organisms.

Alkaline hydrolysis and respect for the dead: an ethical critique

ABSTRACT Alkaline hydrolysis is an increasingly popular method of disposing of human corpses, which involves dissolving them into a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali, producing some bone residue and a liquid waste that can be flushed into the sewer system or otherwise hygienically disposed of. Favoured particularly by environmentalists for its perceived ecological advantages over traditional methods of inhumation and cremation, alkaline hydrolysis has been charged by some critics with being insufficiently respectful of the human corpse, and by implication the living human being whose body it once was. Following a discussion of the idea of respect for the dead and its cultural variability, it is argued that alkaline hydrolysis breaches no fundamental principles of respect for the deceased or their remains and that worries on this score are based on misunderstanding or prejudice. The question is raised whether alkaline hydrolysis might nevertheless be considered less respectful to the dead than traditional methods of burial and cremation. Three prima facie reasons in support of this claim are weighed and rejected. It is concluded that there are no sound objections based on considerations of human dignity to the adoption of alkaline hydrolysis as a disposal method for human bodies.

Changes in SARS-CoV-2 viral load and titers over time in SARS-CoV-2-infected human corpses.

High viral titers of infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected in human corpses long after death. However, little is known about the kinetics of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses. In this case series study, we investigated the postmortem kinetics of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in human corpses by collecting nasopharyngeal swab samples at multiple time points from six SARS-CoV-2-infected patients after their death. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from all six deceased patients. A viral culture showed the presence of infectious virus in one deceased patient up to 12 days after death. Notably, this patient had a shorter time from symptom onset to death than the other patients, and autopsy samples showed pathological findings consistent with viral replication in the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, this patient died during the viral shedding phase, and the amount of infectious virus in the corpse did not decrease over time up to the date of autopsy (12 days after death). The findings of this study indicate that the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in corpses can vary among individuals and may be associated with the stage of the disease at the time of death. These important results complement many previously reported findings on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 at postmortem.

Catch me if you can—emission patterns of human bodies in relation to postmortem changes

The present study examines for the first time the emission patterns and olfactory signatures of 9 complete human corpses of different stages of decomposition. Air sampling was performed inside the body bags with solid sorbents and analysed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after thermal desorption (TD-GC-MS). Furthermore, odour-related substances were detected by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Sulfurous compounds (mainly dimethyl di- and trisulfide) were identified as most important to the odour perception. Around 350 individual organic substances were detected by TD-GC-MS, notably sulfurous and nitrogenous substances as well as branched alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and ethers. A range of terpenes was detected for the first time in a characteristic emission pattern over all decomposition stages. Concentrations of the substances varied greatly, and no correlation between the emission patterns, the stage of decomposition and the cause of death could be found. While previous studies often analysed pig cadavers or only parts of human tissue, the present study shows the importance of analysing complete human corpses over a range of decomposition stages. Moreover, it is shown that using body bags as a kind of “emission test chamber” is a very promising approach, also because it is a realistic application considering the usual transport and store of a body before autopsy.Graphical abstract

„Mortui vivos docent” – badania anatomiczne w starożytnej medycynie greckiej

„Mortui vivos docent” – anatomical studies in Ancient Greek medicine Systematic dissection of human corpses only began to be practised in modern times. In the ancient world, the dead body was burdened with impurity and had to be buried with dignity so that the relatives of the deceased would not be affected by the taint. For this reason, anatomical studies were mainly based on observation of the wounded on the battlefield or on autopsies of animal bodies. On this basis, conclusions were drawn about human anatomy and bodily functions. The exception was Alexandria during the Hellenistic period, which became the dominant scientific centre, especially during the reign of the first three Ptolemies. It was there that Herophilos and Erasistratos, physicians who, would dissect human cadavers, were active. Their writings have survived only in small fragments, but from later sources we learn of their significant achievements in anatomical research. Particularly relevant here is the testimony of the Latin encyclopaedist Celsus, who, while understanding the necessity of dissecting examinations, disapproved of the vivisections allegedly performed by Alexandrian scholars. In the Roman period, dissection of human cadavers was no longer practised, not only because of the impurity of the human body, but also because the new trend in medicine, empiricism, abandoned the search for the causes of disease, focusing mainly on the treatment of visible symptoms.

Respect OF Humainity and Probition of body Multilation (Islamic and Legal Review)

Allah Ta'ala has made the "Man"- the highest creations among all creations and has given him such sanctity and dignity which is not limited to life but continues after death. That's why in Islamic Shari'ah, clear orders have been given regarding the respect of the human body and it has not only been forbidden to do any kind of harm to it, but it has also made it obligatory to bury it with dignity and respect. Even the desecration of the dead body of a criminal who has committed the worst crimes and who has fought on behalf of the enemy in war is prohibited. But regrettably, in the recent past, both in peace and in war, there have been continuous incidents of desecration of human corpses, so the need was felt that in the life of a person, while giving death penalty for a crime or killing and after death, a Shari'a and legal approach based on honoring and respecting the human body should be brought forward. Keeping this need in mind, these three aspects have been examined in this Article under review, especially by mentioning the Quranic verses, Ahadith and the syings of Fuqaha, the Shariah ruling has been explained. Along with this, the current legal status of "Musla" has also been discussed in terms of international humanitarian law and other international laws.

Key for the identification of third instar larvae of African blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance in death investigations

Blowfly larvae are the insects primarily responsible for the active stage of decomposition of exposed vertebrate remains and are the most frequently collected entomological evidence during forensic investigations of death. The necrophagous calliphorids in continental Africa that consistently develop on large vertebrate carrion include 11 species belonging to four genera: Calliphora, Chrysomya, Hemipyrellia and Lucilia. Most of these species are widespread in Africa and frequently reported on large animal carcasses and carrion and human corpses. A few keys have been compiled for identification of their third instar larvae, but none of them covers the complete set of taxa. Therefore, we provide a new comprehensive key with original illustrations of all taxonomically significant characters. The key is based on characters that should be easily observable even in poorly equipped local laboratories and is a reliable taxonomic tool for material collected in either urban or rural areas where synanthropic species predominate. However, it should be used with some caution in areas with relatively pristine natural habitats, where additional carrion-breeding species may occur. The publication of the key will significantly facilitate both medical and forensic entomological research and practice in Africa.

The Corpse and Humanist Discourse: Dead Bodies in Contemporary Chinese Art

In the 1990s, a notable trend in contemporary Chinese art was the use of human corpses as material for installation art. These works were called derivative and societally harmful by critics and have been dismissed as anomalous in more recent scholarship. This paper will demonstrate that the use of corpses was the continuation of a a decade-long attempt to free art from a perceived unhealthy relationship with society through ridding the human body of ideological meaning. I argue that the use of dead bodies marks a metaphorical end to this preoccupation within the contemporary Chinese art world and paved the way for a fundamental shift in the way artists approached society as a whole.

The Use and Abuse of Compost

ABSTRACT Food and bodies die and decompose in ways that can contribute to a cycle of regeneration through compost. Late modernity functions as a discard culture, however, and this process of life and death is often broken or interrupted. This article analyzes the reappearance of compost as a solution to waste in the language of entrepreneurs, scientists, and scholars who assert their relationship to it. In these discourses, the multiple species that perform the cycle of death and life are put to work on yet another frontier of capitalism for the purpose of profit and accumulation. Compost is fast becoming a greenwashed commodity with uses both as a new technology and as an ideology that centers the human, much as it claims to cherish the nonhuman. This analysis focuses on the technologization of compost; funeral practices and human corpse composting; and the use of composting as a metaphor in recent scholarship.

The Anatomage Table: A Promising Alternative in Anatomy Education.

Anatomy is one of medical and nursing education's most prominent and crucial keynotes. For ages, conventional lectures and the analysis of actual human corpses were employed as predominant teaching techniques. However, the sphere of healthcare pedagogy has been greatly altered by the developing passion for technology over the past few years. Anatomage offers a life-size digital representation of the human body, allowing the visualization, manipulation, and virtual dissection of complex anatomical structures, using detailed 3D (three-dimensional) models. Academic institutions utilize Anatomage as a means to enhance and contemporize the acquisition of anatomy knowledge. This systematic review aims to present the educational role of Anatomage in anatomy and whether it can replace the use of cadaveric material in medical education entirely in the future. A detailed search on PubMed, SCOPUS, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The criteria for the selection were the English language and the year of publication between 2018 and 2023. We rejected publications that were irrelevant to the topic. Before applying the filters, we found 198 publications, from which 24 were finally chosen for the purpose of this review. The results of this systematic review indicate that most students agree on the beneficial role of Anatomage in the thorough comprehension of anatomical knowledge, and they prefer it over traditional learning methods, such as the use of cadaveric material. Anatomage not only offers a deeper insight into the relations between inner formations, since it is a particularly easy-to-use and pleasant teaching tool, but also contributes to the improvement of learning outcomes in the classroom, which is proved by higher grades in the anatomy course. However, it can be an effective teaching method if it is used in addition to the classic method of cadaver training, rather than being the only educational practice. Integrating the Anatomage Table (AT) into undergraduate courses is paramount to the comprehensive learning and application of human anatomy in students' future health careers. Learners who have utilized the table note it to be a beneficial and effective tool in preparing them to enter into the healthcare profession.

All equal in the face of death! – Characterization of the volatile cadaveric compounds of fresh stage human corpses

The smell associated with the decomposition of a human body has been the subject of a limited number of studies, most using body parts or other vertebrates as surrogate models. Among the limitations frequently encountered in the existing literature are the small sample size and the high variability in terms of stages of decomposition. In the present study, we collected, identified, and quantified the volatile organic compounds released by 20 human corpses at the fresh stage, using dynamic headspace collection. We also assessed the impact of some parameters on the volatilome: skin temperature, gender, age, size, postmortem interval, presence of lividities or rigidities. We found 2-heptanone to account for nearly half the scent of fresh human cadavers. Four additional compounds were also repeatedly identified: dimethyl disulfide, ethyl acetate, limonene and 3-methyl-1-butanol. The use of dynamic sampling and thermodesorption traps has allowed to increase the diversity of collected postmortem molecules, compared to previous works. However, no human specific markers were found, either because they do not exist at the fresh stage, or because they are released at trace levels. Finally, none of the tested parameters impacted the volatile profile of human corpses. We recommend performing similar assays on more advanced stages to help completing our understanding of human decomposition.

Phenomenon of Demikhov. At N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute (1960–1986). V.P. Demikhov and his experiments in the field of organ transplantation in 1971–1972

Having reviewed the archival documents, we enlightened the results of research performed by V.P. Demikhov and the employees of the Organ Transplantation Laboratory at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute, as well as V.P. Demikhov’s life and work in 1971–1972. During those years he continued to conduct the research required, as he believed, for practical healthcare. In 1971, together with M.M. Razgulov, he proposed a method for connecting blood vessels, a method for transplanting an upper limb together with a scapula, repeated experiments previously carried out on dogs, on human corpses (revitalization of a cadaveric heart, monitoring its activity using electrocardiography, implanting an additional heart into the cadaver’s chest in order to implement the technique in clinic for the treatment of heart failure), presented the results of his research at the X International Congress on Cardiovascular Diseases. We have also shown that in 1971–1972 V.P. Demikhov performed 76 experimental interventions, most of which were aimed at the development of a technique for transplanting an isolated cardiopulmonary complex and heart, as well as the technique for their revitalization. It should be noted that all the methods of organ transplantation developed by him were intended for implementation in clinic. However, no method was introduced into clinic during his lifetime. The fact is that the studies of V.P. Demikhov in the field of organ transplantation could not be adequately supplied from the material, technical and economic point, since they did not correspond to the main trends of the scientific and practical activities of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute – to improve the organizing system of rendering an emergency and urgent care to the population of Moscow in acute diseases and injuries.