NCJ Number
174713
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 797-805
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Insects are known to be useful in estimating the postmortem interval, and several cases are reported that show medicolegal and hygiene questions can be answered using forensic entomology techniques, including close observation of larval development.
Abstract
Case 1 showed how blowfly larvae fell from a putrefied corpse, hid, and finally emerged from pupae 3 months after disinfection and renovation. Case 2 investigated the entomological state of the decomposed corpse of a heroin user, while the third case was concerned with a single adult Protophormia terranovae found in the skull of a partially mummified woman. Case 4 reported the finding of Serratia marcescens bacteria in red Muscina stabulans pupae found on a 5- day-old corpse. In case 5, blowfly eggs on the corpse of a heroin user were interpreted as an indication of the decedent being laid outside at night after his death in a flat. Case 6 observed Parasarcophaga argyrostoma on a corpse, a species that can be used to tell if a corpse has been lying outside for some time. 60 references and 11 figures