Recreating Death's Acre in the School Yard: Using Pig Carcasses as Model Corpses, to Teach Concepts of Forensic Entomology & Ecological Succession

2006 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 402-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Schoenly ◽  
Neal H. Haskell ◽  
David K. Mills ◽  
Carine Bieme-Ndi ◽  
Kristle Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Ecological Succession ◽  
Pig Carcasses ◽  
School Yard

RECREATING DEATH'S ACRE IN THE SCHOOL YARD: Using Pig Carcasses as Model CorpsesTo Teach Concepts of Forensic Entomology & Ecological Succession

2006 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 402-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Schoenly ◽  
Neal H. Haskell ◽  
David K. Mills ◽  
Carine Bieme-Ndi ◽  
Kristie Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Ecological Succession ◽  
Pig Carcasses ◽  
School Yard

The Ecology of Death: Forensic Entomology as a Teaching Tool

2010 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-155
Author(s):  
James McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Ecological Succession ◽  
Teaching Tool

Describing the progression of insects that arrive at a cadaver can be a useful and exciting tool for teaching students about complex concepts such as ecological succession.

scholarly journals Characterization of necrophagus entomofauna in a typical agricultural area in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy)

Entomologia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Calzolari ◽  
F. Defilippo ◽  
G. Zani ◽  
M. Colombo ◽  
M. Dottori
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Interval Estimation ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Po Valley ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
Pig Carcasses

This study presents a checklist of Dipterans and Coleopterans accountable for carrion decay in the Po Valley (Italy), a contribution to the Forensic Entomology knowledge in Italy. Insects colonizing two pig carcasses in an agricultural area in Mezzani municipality (Parma, Northern Italy) were sampled by pitfall traps and original Malaise-like traps, which allowed the sampling of a very relevant number of flying insects. A checklist of 57 taxa was obtained, of which 26 were considered of forensic importance. For the latter the arrival time of adult specimens on the carcasses was recorded, as an important parameter in minimum post mortem interval estimation. Dipterans (6141 specimens) were the most common insects; the fastest specimens to detect and colonize the carcass belonged to the Calliphoridae family, while Fanniidae and Muscidae infested the carrion until completion of the skeletal stage. Coleopterans appeared later (308 adult specimens and 114 larvae were captured). Staphylinidae, Dermestidae, and Histeridae were the most common coleopterans sampled in this study.

scholarly journals Forensically relevant diptera species associated with pig carcasses in a Brazilian city exposed to high rates of homicide

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216101
Author(s):  
Tadeu Morais Cruz ◽  
Taciano Moura Barbosa ◽  
Patrícia Jacqueline Thyssen ◽  
Simão Dias Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Anthropogenic Action ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Rapid Dissemination ◽  
Pig Carcasses

Cities in northeastern Brazil experience extreme rates of unsolved homicides, a situation that stimulates innovative procedures in the police work, such as forensic entomology. We surveyed necrophagous insects associated with carrion in a city exposed to high rates of homicides in Northeastern Brazil. The experiments were carried out in a rainforest fragment located in Recife, State of Pernambuco. Two pig carcasses were used as models, one in the dry and the other in the rainy season. The collection of adults was performed daily until the complete skeletonization of the carcasses. At least 32 Diptera species from the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Fanniidae, Phoridae, Anthomyiidae, Piophilidae, and Stratiomyidae were registered, some of which have been previously documented on cadavers. A high richness of Diptera species was registered in all stages of decomposition. A strong overlap in the occurrence of most species was observed, which invalidates a defined entomological succession on the carcasses. Two species stood out in terms of abundance: Ophyra chalcogaster (Muscidae) and Chrysomya albiceps (Calliphoridae). The ubiquity of Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Calliphoridae) seems to confirm its preference for forest fragments exposed to low anthropogenic action. Our data contribute to expand the knowledge on the geographical distribution of forensically relevant species in the region and confirm the rapid dissemination of invasive Chrysomya species in forested areas.

scholarly journals Breeding of Ornidia obesa (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae) on Pig Carcasses in Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Martins ◽  
J. A. Neves ◽  
T. C. Moretti ◽  
W.A.C. Godoy ◽  
P. J. Thyssen
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Complete Development ◽  
Syrphid Fly ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Pig Carcasses

Abstract Ornidia obesa F. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is usually neglected in forensic entomology, although adults are rather frequent on vertebrate carrion. In this study, conducted in southeastern Brazil in 2008, we used two pig carcasses, one killed by cocaine overdose and the other by shooting, to evaluate mainly the possible influences of the type of death on the larval development of O. obesa in the pig remains. We recorded the breeding of 218 adult specimens of this syrphid fly from the carcass killed by shooting, and none from the carcass killed by cocaine. These observations may open a new perspective for the use of O. obesa in forensic studies, considering its breeding preferences and its complete development on vertebrate carrion.

scholarly journals Fannia fusconotata and Fannia sanihue (Diptera: Fanniidae): first records in Uruguay and distribution extension

Check List ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1734
Author(s):  
Mónica Remedios-De León ◽  
Fernando Hernán Aballay ◽  
M. Cecilia Domínguez ◽  
Patricia González-Vainer
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Pig Carcasses ◽  
First Time ◽  
Malaise Traps

Fannia fusconotata (Rondani, 1868) and Fannia sanihue Domínguez & Aballay, 2008 are recorded for the first time in Uruguay, extending the Neotropical distribution of these taxa eastward in South America. The specimens were collected using modified Malaise traps located above pig carcasses in Pando, Canelones, Uruguay, from February to April 2011. This contribution is a part of the first study to be undertaken into forensic entomology in Uruguay.

scholarly journals Small Bait Traps May Not Accurately Reflect the Composition of Necrophagous Diptera Associated to Remains

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Kathleen LeBlanc ◽  
Denis R. Boudreau ◽  
Gaétan Moreau
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Domestic Pig ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Pork Liver ◽  
Bait Traps ◽  
Pig Carcasses ◽  
Time And Energy

Small bait traps are beginning to emerge in forensic entomology as a new approach to sample early-colonizing necrophagous Diptera species while reducing the investment in time and energy in obtaining information. To test the hypothesis conveyed by the literature that these traps can be a substitute for whole carcasses, we simultaneously documented the Diptera assemblages visiting and colonizing domestic pig carcasses and small traps baited with pork liver. Results indicated that Diptera species occurrence and assemblage composition in the small bait traps and on the carcasses differed, while they were similar when comparing only the pig carcasses. These results are in agreement with the literature that examined insect colonization of other decaying substrates. Although small bait traps can be useful tools to document the communities of necrophagous Diptera in a given area, we stress that caution must be exercised when extending the data obtained by these traps to courtroom proceedings.

scholarly journals Insects on pig carcasses as a model for predictor of death interval in forensic medicine

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-8
Author(s):  
Sunny Wangko ◽  
Erwin G. Kristanto ◽  
Sonny J.R. Kalangi ◽  
Johannes Huijbregts ◽  
Dantje T. Sembel
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Chrysomya Megacephala ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Pig Carcasses

Background: Forensic entomology has not been acknowledged in Indonesia so far. Indonesian carrion insects are very rarely reported. The aim of this study was to obtain the types of insects on pig carcasses that could be used for the estimation of post-mortem interval.Methods: Four domestic pigs sacrificed with different methods were used as a model. The carcasses were observed twice daily (around 9 a.m and 4 p.m) during 15 days to assess the stages of decomposition and to collect insects, both in mature and immature stages. The immature insects were reared and the mature insects were indentified in the Laboratory of Pests and Plant Diseases, University of Sam Ratulangi, Manado. Chrysomya megacephala and C. rufifacies were identified both morphologically and with deoxyribose-nucleic acid (DNA) techniques.Results: Five stages of decomposition (fresh, bloated, active decay, post-decay, and skeletonization) were observed. A total of 11 Diptera and 8 Coleoptera species were found during a 15-days succession study. Chrysomya megacephala, C. rufifacies and Hermetia illucens colonized in all carcasses.Conclusion: Insects found on four different pig carcasses consisted mainly of widespread Diptera and Coleoptera. Chrysomya megacephala, C. rufifacies and Hermetia illucens seemed to be primary candidates for the estimation of the post-mortem interval.

scholarly journals Insect succession pattern on decomposing pig carcasses in Tasmania: a summer study'

2019 ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
P Magni ◽  
M Zwerver ◽  
IR Dadour
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
Crime Scene ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Crime Scene Reconstruction ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Pig Carcasses ◽  
Summer Study ◽  
Arrival Pattern

Insect succession has been studied around the world using the predictable and mostly sequential arrival pattern of different insect species that are attracted to a decomposing carcass. In cases of suspicious death of humans and animals, carrion insects may be used to assist in crime scene reconstruction. The present research represents the first study in forensic entomology to be undertaken in Tasmania, investigating insect succession patterns on decomposing pig carcasses and providing a preliminary database of forensically important insects. Six pig carcasses were placed in two contrasting locations (rural and urban) in northern Tasmania. Insect successional waves were recorded over a 40-day study during the austral summer season. Results showed that decomposition rates and insect assemblages varied between each location. Eleven insect taxa, representing nine families, were identified in association with the decomposition of the pig carcasses at both localities. Blowflies present on the pig carcasses throughout the decomposition process were Calliphora stygia Malloch (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at both sites and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) at the urban site only. These preliminary results will provide useful information in any future casework involving human remains and associated insect material in Tasmania.

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