Electrophysiological responses ofChrysomya rufifacies(Diptera: Calliphoridae) to active volatile organic compounds released by human decomposition

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Kolodij
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Human Decomposition ◽  
Volatile Organic

scholarly journals Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of the Fringed Larder Beetle Dermestes frischii to the Smell of a Cadaver at Different Decomposition Stages

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Martin ◽  
Damien Minchilli ◽  
Frédéric Francis ◽  
François Verheggen
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Decomposition Stage ◽  
Electrophysiological Responses ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Decomposition Stages ◽  
Behavioral Assays

A cadaver is colonized by a wide diversity of necrophagous insects. It is well documented that Dipterans are attracted by the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by a corpse during the first minutes following death. Coleopterans are known to be attracted by highly decomposed cadavers, but have received less attention regarding the olfaction-based mechanisms underlying these interactions. In the present study, we impregnated gauzes with VOCs collected from each decomposition stage of dead rats: fresh, bloated, active, and advanced decay. We collected the VOCs released by the gauze and confirmed what was previously know from the literature: the decomposition stages are associated with contrasting chemical profiles. We exposed Dermestes frischii Kugelann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) male and female antennae to the same gauzes and found that stronger electrical responses were recorded when using the smell of the advanced decay stage. Finally, we performed two choices behavioral assays. Females showed no preference for the four decomposition stages, while males were attracted by the smell associated with active and advanced decay stages. These results suggest that specific VOCs released by a decaying body guide necrophagous coleopterans to their feeding site. Whether D. frischii males release pheromones to attract females remains to be tested.

A standard operating procedure (SOP), for soil sampling, for the detection of volatile organic compounds and leachate associated with human decomposition from a shallow, unmarked, homicide grave

2020 ◽  
pp. SP492-2020-58
Author(s):  
Laurance Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Operating Procedure ◽  
Standard Operating Procedure ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Death Time ◽  
Human Decomposition ◽  
Operational Test ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Standard Operating

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to provide a forensic geology standard operating procedure (SOP) for the collection of soil, for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and leachate associated with decomposing human remains in a shallow, unmarked, homicide grave. This assumes that human remains undergo partial or complete decomposition after burial and that the VOCs and leachate plumes generated subsequently migrate from the grave. These are expected to be influenced by several factors, including for example the cause of death, time elapsed since burial, climate and weather, topography, geological characteristics of the soils and bedrock, hydrogeology and taphonomy. This SOP has been used in a number of high-profile police and law enforcement searches (see for example Donnelly et al. 2020. Analysis of soil following a police-led open area search and the recovery of a cold case homicide grave, Forensic Soil Science and Geology, 492, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP492-2017-337). This approach remains experimental and further research and operational test work are recommended at known (recovered) homicide graves. This might become applicable as a future reconnaissance method applied to searches taking place over large areas to help reduce the preliminary search area where VOC and leachates are detectable.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document