Open AccessPost-mortem Interval Estimation in a Forensic Case with Two Predatory Species: Chrysomya albiceps and Synthesiomyia nudiseta
Author(s) -
Tania Ivorra,
Anabel Martínez-Sánchez,
Salvador Giner Alberola
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0127-984X
DOI - 10.24191/jchs.v6i1(special).13996
Subject(s) - forensic entomology , calliphoridae , forensic science , biology , larva , zoology , dead body , instar , pupa , time of death , putrefaction , ecology , autopsy , toxicology , archaeology , geography , genetics
A forensic case in which two facultative predatory species were found together on a human corpse is presented in this work. Second and third instar larvae of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) (Diptera: Muscidae) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were collected from the dead body of a man on 14th November 2019, but puparia in the autopsy pictures were observed after, but not collected. The corpse was found on the terrace of the third floor of a building located in the town of Elche (SE Spain), and the pathologist confirmed the death as natural. The minimum post-mortem interval was estimated by the time to reach the length of the collected larvae or to reach the pupal developmental stage (in days and accumulated degree-days). In accordance with the influence of the predatory behaviour of each of these species on the developmental data of the other, as described in the existing literature, the effect of a hypothetical competition between both species on post-mortem interval was discussed.