The importance of the postmortem interval for the diagnosis of Waterhouse­Friderichsen syndrome by Neisseria meningitidis in a series of forensic cases

The effective value of microbiological post-mortem examinations stands as fundamental in forensic cases involving microbiology. We ran these analyses on five victims, who suddenly died after showing persistent fever. The examinations were conducted between 48 hours and 10 days after death, and adrenal gland apoplexy was detected in all the cases. Microbiological examinations identified Neisseria meningitidis, which was accountable for Waterhouse­Friderichsen syndrome. Diplococci were isolated from three cadavers that underwent forensic dissection between 2 and 3 days after death. The remaining two cadavers showed polymicrobial contamination, and a polymerase chain reaction technique was necessary to identify the pathogen. We assumed that the microbial overlap could lead to diagnostic mistakes and conceal the identification of the lethal pathogen. Therefore, we suggest using molecular techniques for a postmortem interval (PMI) longer than 72 hours. Classical microbiological examination should be performed for PMI within 72 hours.

Determinación del intervalo post mortem mínimo (IPM) basado en un modelo de acumulación térmica con una cepa de Lucilia eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) de Costa Rica / Lucilia eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as forensic indicator for the calculation of the post mortem interval in Costa Rica

RESUMEN Introducción: L. eximia es una especie de amplia distribución geográfica en Costa Rica, cuyas poblaciones son estables durante todo el año. Las características biológicas de ésta permiten concebirla como un potencial indicador forense para el cálculo del intervalo post mortem mínimo (IPM). Objetivo: Comparar el IPM calculado mediante un modelo de acumulación térmica con L. eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae), con el IPM real en cadáveres de cerdos domésticos (Sus scrofa). Material y Métodos: Dos cadáveres de cerdo fueron expuestos en un bosque premontano húmedo tropical. A partir de dichos cadáveres se colectaron larvas de L. eximia a las 78, 144 y 192 horas posteriores al momento de muerte y se propició su desarrollo en condiciones controladas. Con los datos generados, se realizaron retroproyecciones térmicas para efectuar el cálculo del IPM. Resultados: L. eximia requirió en total 7 236,50 grados- hora acumulados (ADH) para culminar su desarrollo. Los IPM calculados mediante el modelo de acumulación térmica para los tres momentos de colecta fueron 112,56; 153,60 y 104,64 horas. Únicamente el valor intermedio no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el tiempo de muerte conocido (p>0.05). Conclusiones: El modelo de acumulación térmica en que se utilizó L. eximia brindó información precisa sobre el IPM sólo cuando se tomaron las muestras en el campo a las 144 horas, lo que perfila su utilidad para las primeras etapas de la descomposición cadavérica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: L. eximia is a species that shows a wide geographical distribution in Costa Rica, whose populations are stable throughout the year. The biological characteristics of L. eximia allow it to be considered as a potential forensic indicator for the calculation of the minimum post mortem interval (PMI). Objective: To compare the PMI calculated by a thermal accumulation model with L. eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae), with the PMI in corpses of pigs (Sus scrofa). Methods: Two pig corpses were exposed in a tropical premontane moist forest. Larvae of L. eximia were collected from the pig carcasses at 78, 144 and 192 hours after the moment of death, and their development was promoted under controlled conditions. With the data generated, thermal back-projections were made to calculate the PMI. Results: L. eximia required a total of 7 236.50 accumulated degree hours (ADH) to complete its life cycle. The IPMs calculated by the thermal accumulation model were 112.56, 153.60, and 104.64 hours, respectively. Only the intermediate value did not present statistically significant differences with the known time of death (p>0.05). Conclusions: The thermal accumulation model using L. eximia as a forensic indicator provided accurate information about the PMI only when samples were collected at 144 hours, which indicates that this method may be accurate and useful during the first stages of cadaveric decomposition.

Molecular Identification of Sarcosaphagous Flies in Luoyang Based on 28S rRNA Gene Sequence / 法医学杂志

Objective To detect 715 bp sequence of 28S rRNA in sarcosaphagous flies, and to identify their common species for solving the problem of morphological identification, as well as providing technical support for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. Methods Twenty-nine common sarcosaphagous flies were collected in Luoyang and classified by morphological characteristics. The DNA was extracted from the fly's legs by Chelex-100 method and then the fragments of 28S rRNA were amplified and sequenced. The results were compared with twenty-eight corresponding fly species of GenBank and EMBL databases. All the sequences were analyzed by MEGA7.0 software, and sequence alignment was performed by the searching in BLAST. The nucleotide composition was analysed, and the intraspecific and interspecific ge-netic distance and phylogenetic tree were established. Results Twenty-nine sarcosaphagous flies were classified into 6 species of 5 genera, 3 families by morphological characteristics. In the obtained 715 bp sequence of 28S rRNA , the comparison result of online BLAST showed that the similarity was 100％. Five species were well clustered by a phylogenetic tree. Between different groups, the interspecific and intraspecific differences ranged from 0.007 to 0.045 and 0 to 0.001, respectively. Conclusion The 28S rRNA target gene sequences shows a good identification capability, which can be a new genetic marker for the identification of sarcosaphagous flies.

Insectos de importancia forense en cadáveres de cerdo (sus scrofa ) en La Paz Bolivia / Forensic insects in pig carcasses (sus scrofa) in La Paz Bolivia

Resumen:La Entomología Forense es una ciencia que implica el estudio de las especies antropofágicas que practican un ciclo vital en el cadáver. Contribuye en la determinación del Intervalo posmortem. Los insectos de importancia forense que se estudiaron pertenecen a la orden Dípteros y Coleópteros. En el estudio realizado en el municipio de Pucarani, ubicado en la provinciaLos Andes del Departamento La Paz a 3852 m.s.n.m. entre otoño e invierno, se obtuvo dos ejemplares de cerdo S. scrofa, en dos ambientes: abierto (cerdo A) y cerrado: (cerdo B). Se identificó 339 especímenes entre dípteros y coleópteros. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la sucesión de entomofauna entre ambos ambientes, sin embargo predominó la familia Fannide sp. en el lugar cerrado por ser un ambiente húmedo. Los dípteros de mayor importancia son: Sarconesia Chlorogaster, Clorobrachycoma splendida, que pertenecen a la familia Calliphoridae, que se mantuvo en constante actividaden su estadio larval y su forma adulta en los cuatro estados de descomposición a temperaturas de 14 - 16°C, humedad relativa de 30%; no se encontró a Calliphora nigribasis en la descomposición avanzada; Sarconesiopsis magellánica solo se presenta en la etapa Fresco. Entre los Coleópteros: Oxelitrum apicale apareció desde la etapa hinchado. La sucesión de entomofauna cadavérica y su particularidad en cada etapa de descomposición, es el elemento que nos ayudaría a determinar el IPM, que dependerá de las condiciones climáticas a gran altitud como Bolivia.

Abstract:Forensic entomology is a science that involves the study of the cannibalistic species that plays a vital cycle in the body. It helps to determinate the postmortem interval. Insects with forensic importance that were studied belong to the order Diptera and Coleoptera. In the study conducted in the Municipality of Pucarani, located in the province of Los Andes La Paz Department at 3852 meters between autumn and winter, two copies of pork S. scrofa was obtained in two environments: open (pork A), closed (pig B). 339 specimens between Diptera and Coleoptera were identified. No significant differences were found in the entomofauna sequence between the two environments, however the Fannide sp. In the place closed for being a humid environment. The most important dipterans are: Sarconesia Chlorogaster, Clorobrachycoma splendida, belonging to the family Calliphoridae, which remained in constant activity in its larval stage and its adult form in the four decaying states at temperatures of 14 - 16 ° C, humidity Relative to 30%; Calliphora nigribasis was not found in advanced decomposition; Magellanic sarconesiopsis only occurs in the Fresco stage. Among the Coleoptera: Oxelitrum apicale appeared from the swollen stage. The succession of cadaveric entomofauna and its particularity in each stage of decomposition is the element that would help us determine the MPI, which will depend on high altitude climatic conditions like Bolivia.

Its2 para la identificación de califóridos (diptera: calliphoridae) de importancia forense en colombia / ITS2 for the Identification of Calliphoridae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Importance in Colombia

La entomología forense es una disciplina que utiliza insectos para obtener información útil en la determinación del intervalo postmortem (IPM). Las moscas de la familia Calliphoridae son muy utilizadas en entomología forense, sin embargo, su identificación a nivel de especie puede dificultarse cuando el individuo se encuentra incompleto o en estadio inmaduro. En el presente trabajo, se evaluó el potencial de la región ITS2 del genoma nuclear para la identificación de especies de Calliphoridae en Colombia utilizando tres aproximaciones: comparando distancias genéticas utilizando la metodología de códigos de barra, haciendo una reconstrucción filogenética, y con enzimas de restricción (PCR-RFLPs). Se secuenciaron un total de 520 pb en 44 individuos pertenecientes a 16 especies. Se calcularon los valores de distancia intraespecífica e interespecíficas utilizando el modelo K2P. Los valores de distancia intraespecífica oscilaron entre 0 y 0,252 %, mientras que las distancias interespecíficas fluctuaron entre 3,6 y 18,9 %, evidenciándose que esta técnica puede ser utilizada como código de barras genético en la identificación de especies de la familia Calliphoridae. Tanto en los análisis de Neighbour-Joining como en los análisis bayesianos el 90 % de los géneros presentan una monofilia sustentada en probabilidad posterior de 0,89 a 1. En todos los casos la especie Blepharicnema splendens agrupa con el género Lucilia. Con base en las secuencias obtenidas se utilizó la aplicación NEBCutter para identificar cuatro enzimas de restricción las cuales se probaron en el laboratorio y se comprobó su utilidad para la identificación rápida de especies de Calliphoridae en Colombia.

Forensic entomology is a discipline that uses insects to obtain useful information for the determination of the postmortem interval (PMI). Flies of the family Calliphoridae are extensively used for this purpose, however, the identification of these flies can be difficult when the individual is not an adult or when it is incomplete. In the present work, we tested the utility of the ITS2 region of the nuclear genome for the identification of Calliphoridae species in Colombia using three approaches: comparing genetic distances using the barcoding methodology, with a phylogenetic reconstruction, and with PCR-RFLPs. We sequenced 520 bp in 44 individuals belonging to 16 species of califorids. Intraspecific and interspecific distance values were calculated using the K2P model. The intraspecific distance values ranged between 0 and 0.252 %, while the interspecific distance values ranged between 3.6 and 18.9 %, indicating that this gene can be used as a genetic barcode for the identification of species of the Calliphoridae family. Both the Neighbour-Joining and Bayesian analyses recovered 90 % of the genera as monophyletic, with pp values between 0.89 and 1. Blepharicnema splendens was always recovered within the Lucilia genera. Based on the obtained sequences we used the NEBCutter application to identify four restriction enzymes that cut in a differential way and generated useful patterns for the identification of the species. The enzymes were successfully tested and confirmed the utility of this technique as a fast way to identify species of Calliphoridae in Colombia.

Research Progress of Carrion-breeding Phorid Flies for Post-mortem Interval Es-timation in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

It is a difficult problem of forensic medicine to accurately estimate the post-mortem interval. Entomological approach has been regarded as an effective way to estimate the post-mortem interval. The developmental biology of carrion-breeding flies has an important position at the post-mortem inter-val estimation. Phorid flies are tiny and occur as the main or even the only insect evidence in relatively enclosed environments. This paper reviews the research progress of carrion-breeding phorid flies for esti-mating post-mortem interval in forensic medicine which includes their roles, species identification and age determination of immatures.

Research Progress of Carrion-breeding Phorid Flies for Post-mortem Interval Estimation in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

It is a difficult problem of forensic medicine to accurately estimate the post-mortem interval. Entomological approach has been regarded as an effective way to estimate the post-mortem interval. The developmental biology of carrion-breeding flies has an important position at the post-mortem interval estimation. Phorid flies are tiny and occur as the main or even the only insect evidence in relatively enclosed environments. This paper reviews the research progress of carrion-breeding phorid flies for estimating post-mortem interval in forensic medicine which includes their roles, species identification and age determination of immatures.

CORRELATION OF CELLULAR AUTOLYTIC CHANGES IN BONE MARROW WITH POST-MORTEM INTERVAL

Estimation of post mortem interval is of great importance in both civil and criminal disputes. Determining time since death is extremely difficult and accuracy can never be met. Most of the methods currently employed are temperature based algorithms, rigor mortis, livor mortis, thanato-chemistry etc. But the uncertainties attaching to traditional means of establishing the time since death have directed attention to the chemical changes in the body fluids like cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous humour along with various cellular changes in the body tissues. The study of the viability and morphological changes seen in the cells of various body tissues could provide useful information regarding post-mortem interval. In our study the cellular and cytoplasmic changes observed were time related up to 16 hours.

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia

Preliminary study of insects associated to indoor body decay in Colombia. This is the first report studying insects associated to indoor body decay process of a white pig (Sus scrofa) (Artiodactyla, Suidae) in a controlled indoor environment in an urban area of Florencia city, Amazonia Piedmont, Colombia. For a period of 54 days, 9,220 individuals (immature and adults), distributed in 3 orders, 5 families, 10 genera, and 10 species were collected using entomological nets and tweezers. Five decaying stages are described (fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay and remains). During the fresh stage we recorded Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830), Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; during the bloating stage C. macellaria, C. albiceps, Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819), Hemilucillia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, O. aenescens, Oxysarcodexia sp., Lepidodexia sp., Dermestes maculatus De Geer, 1774 and Lasiphanes sp.; during the active decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, L. eximia, M. domestica, O. aenescens, Lepidodexia sp. D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp.; during the advanced decay C. macellaria, C. albiceps, M. domestica, Lepidodexia sp. and Lasiophanes sp.; and during the remains stage C. albiceps, D. maculatus and Lasiophanes sp. The insects were sorted out in 3 ecological categories; necrophagous, predators and parasites and sarco-saprophagous. According to Chao and Jack estimators, total richness was observed on day 20, with 100% of the expected species.

Differential Diptera succession patterns onto partially burned and unburned pig carrion in southeastern Brazil / Diferenças no padrão de sucessão de Diptera em carcaças de porco parcialmente carbonizadas e não carbonizadas

In the present contribution we compared the entomological succession pattern of a burned carcass with that of an unburned one. For that, we used domestic pig carcasses and focused on Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae flies, because they are the ones most commonly used in Postmortem Interval estimates. Adult and immature flies were collected daily. A total of 27 species and 2,498 specimens were collected, 1,295 specimens of 26 species from the partially burned carcass and 1,203 specimens of 22 species from the control carcass (unburned). The species composition in the two samples differed, and the results of the similarity measures were 0.875 by Sorensen and 0.756 by Bray-Curtis index. The results obtained for both carcasses also differ with respect to the decomposition process, indicating that the post mortem interval would be underestimated if the entomological succession pattern observed for a carcass under normal conditions was applied to a carbonized carcass.

Nesta contribuição, nós comparamos o padrão de sucessão entomológica de uma carcaça carbonizada com outra não carbonizada. Para tal, nós usamos carcaças de porcos domésticos e focamos nos dípteros Calliphoridae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae, por estes serem os grupos de insetos mais comumente usados na estimativa do intervalo pós-morte. Moscas adultas e seus imaturos foram coletados diariamente. Um total de 27 espécies e 2.498 espécimes foi coletado, 1.295 espécimes de 26 espécies na carcaça parcialmente carbonizada e 1.203 espécimes de 22 espécies na carcaça controle (não carbonizada). A composição específica das duas amostras foi diferente e os cálculos de similaridade resultantes foram 0,875 pelo índice de Sorensen e 0,756 pelo índice de Bray-Curtis. Os resultados obtidos para ambas as carcaças também diferiram em relação ao processo de decomposição, indicando que o intervalo pós-morte poderia ser subestimado se o padrão de sucessão entomológica observado na decomposição de uma carcaça sob condições normais fosse aplicado a uma carcaça carbonizada.

Cambios postmortem y data de la muerte en ambientes tropicales / Post mortem changes and dates of death in tropical environments

La alta temperatura y humedad del trópico contribuyen al rápido deterioro de los cadáveres alterando su aspecto y la morfología de las lesiones. El clima tropical también aumenta la probabilidad de la aparición de artefactos ya sea por factores externos (especialmente la actividad animal) o internos (propios del cadáver). Ante el hallazgo de un cuerpo putrefacto, el intervalo post mortem se establece utilizando, entre otros, los criterios de referencia disponibles en la literatura médico legal. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios específicos sobre cambios postmortem y data de la muerte en ambientes tropicales, como los de la mayor parte del territorio de la República de Panamá, casi todos los datos disponibles se refieren a las variaciones que ocurren en ambientes de clima templado con transiciones estacionales de medio ambiente. Se revisan los criterios de aparición y desarrollo de los fenómenos cadavéricos (especialmente la putrefacción) consignados por autores de diferentes países con distintos climas, con el propósito de documentar las disparidades de criterios existentes, señalar su limitada aplicación en la estimación de la data de la muerte en ambientes tropicales y proponer líneas de investigación sobre este tema.

High temperature and humidity contribute to the rapid deterioration of bodies altering their aspect and the morphology of the injuries. The tropical climate also increases the probability of the appearance of artifacts due to external factor (especially animal activity) or internal (body factors). When a decomposed body is found, the post mortem interval is established using, among others, the available criteria of reference in the medico legal literature. Nevertheless, specific studies on post mortem changes and time of death in tropical environments, as those found in the Republic of Panama, are scanty. Most of the available information refers to the variations in moderate climates with seasonal variations. A review of the criteria of beginning and development of the cadaveric phenomena (especially decomposition) recorded by authors of different countries in different climates, with the intention of documenting the disparities of existing criteria and limited application in the establishment of the post mortem interval in tropical environments, is done, proposing lines of research in this topic.

A study of pericardial fluid enzymes activities after death and their correlation with post-mortem interval.

The estimation of time since death at the time of autopsy has been and remains to be one of the challenges to the Forensic Pathologist. .A prospective study was undertaken in SMS Hospital, Jaipur on activity of Pericardial Fluid enzymes after death in deceased. A total of 50 study cases were randomly selected after screening. The pericardial fluid was examined biochemically for enzyme activity of Amylase, Creatine Kinase (CK), Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes by photoelectric colorimetry method. The enzyme activity levels so obtained were charted and statistically studied and graphical records obtained against known post-mortem interval. The data thus obtained was analysed with a view to ascertain whether such assays could be of any help to estimate time since death routinely. In this study we observed a positive correlation of all the four enzymes with the time elapsed after death of which rise in CK was found to be statistically significant.

A preliminary molecular study on protein profile of vital organs: A new direction for post mortem interval determination.

Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the most important tasks in Forensic Medicine. Six autopsy organ tissues such as brain, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas and kidney were taken at the time of forensic autopsy. All the proteins present in the tissues were extracted and the protein profile was analyzed on the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) starting from 0 day to 10th day after death. The protein profiles showed a consistent degradation pattern which was consistent and reproducible in all the samples with respect to the time interval. In conclusion, the protein profile of the vital body organs appears to be a useful method for estimating the post mortem interval up to 10th day. Advantage of this approach over others is that it can detect the post mortem interval over a long interval (0 - 10 days) with an easily detectable pattern of protein profile.

An entomological study to determine the time since death in cases of decomposed bodies.

Forensic entomology is the application of knowledge of insects during investigation of crimes or other legal matters. For investigation of crime, it is very important to determine time since death, which is easy to determine in the early post-mortem period, but poses a problem in the late stages. In this study an effort has been made to determine post-mortem interval in the late stages (decomposed bodies) by studying insect evidence. Insect evidence in the form of blow flies in their different stage of development was found on fresh and decaying corpses. Beetles were found on skeletonised bodies. Since the arthropods are poikilothermic and their development period gets influenced by ambient temperature therefore a record of prevailing temperature was maintained for the set period. Average temperature and humidity was calculated from the meteorological department at Raja Sansi Airport, Amritsar, from the day of recovery of body to rearing up of insects to adult stage. Identification of insects was carried out in collaboration with Zoology Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Estimation of post-mortem interval from the changes in vitreous biochemistry.

Accurate estimation of the post-mortem interval is an important research topic in Forensic Medicine. But unfortunately all methods till now in use to determine the time of death are to a degree unreliable. A vitreous Biochemical change, in the post-mortem period has been researched for many years, but till date it has not been practically used. Various authors have found the co- relation of vitreous humour Na+, K+ & Ca²+ concentration, with increasing post-mortem interval. Some authors have used flame photometry method, while others have used Beckman coulter analyser method. Some authors have found changes in Vitreous Na+, K+ & Ca²+ concentration, between the two eyes of the study subjects and gender variation was also noticed. But still various lacunae exist in the present knowledge because of which estimation of post-mortem interval from vitreous biochemistry is not being practically used till date. So this topic needs further research to bring it in to routine use.

Comparative insect fauna succession on indoor and outdoor monkey carrions in a semi-forested area in Malaysia

Objective: To study the occurrence of insects fauna obtained in a semi forested area in Malaysia using the carcass of the monkey Macaca fascicularis, Raffles, and to compared the wave of insect succession collected from the carcass placed outdoor and indoor. Methods:The outdoor and indoor studies were conducted at a location of 3o17’57.86”N, 101o47’00.78”E. The euthanized monkeys were placed indoor and outdor. The insect seccession visited the carcass, the envirenmental temperature and relative humidity were recorded. Results:The main insects attracted to specific stages of decomposition were mainly members of Diptera and Coleoptera. There was a delay of fly arrival by two days in indoor carcass. Nocturnal oviposition behaviour was not observed in this study. The flies left the carcass during the twilight zone as noted during a 3 days observation period in outdoor study. The dipteran species found outdoor and indoor were similar but more diverse coleopteran species was found indoor. Conclusions:Information and evidence from this study can be used to improve the estimation of the post mortem interval in forensic cases.

Estimation of postmortem interval by determination of K~+ concentration in aqueous humor / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To investigate the applicability of the K~+ concentration in aqueous humor to estimate postmortem interval(PMI).Methods 30 White New-Zealand rabbit were sacrificed by air embolism and divided into 10 groups.Aqueous humor and vitreous humor were sampled at 0.5h,1h,3h,6h,8h,12h,16h,20h,and 24h after death.The concentration of potassium,sodium and calcium were analyzed by an autoanalyzer and the data were statistically processed by SPSS software for Windows.Results Increase in potassiam concentration in aqueous humor was correlated with the postmortem interval(R~2=0.956).Conclusion Measurement of potassium concentration in aqueous humor may be used for PMI estimation.

Insects associated with exposed decomposing bodies in the Colombian Andean Coffee Region / Insetos associados com corpos em decomposição na Região Cafeeira Andina Colombiana

In Colombia, mainly classic forensic medicine methods were used to clarify crimes until 2004. However, other disciplines, including forensic entomology, started to be considered only after the New Accusatory System introduction in Bogotá and the Coffee Region in 2005. In order to provide tools for obtaining evidentiary material elements in judicial trials, it is presented here the succession of insects throughout the decomposition process of an exposed carcass of Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758 (Suidae) and the Occurrence Matrix of colonizing species. This process was evaluated under ambient conditions in the Andean rural area of the city of Pereira, in the Mundo Nuevo district, located in a pre-montane Wet Forest area, from October to November 2006. A sampling period of 27 days and 3198 individuals were collected. We found these colonizing species in the following stages of decomposition: Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) fresh; Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840), and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius 1775) bloated; Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819), Compsomyiops verena (Walker, 1849), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) and Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 active; Fannia sp. advanced and Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen, 1826) remains. This study provides support tools to define the Post Mortem Interval that may be used by experts from government institutions and laboratories officially accredited.

Na Colômbia predominou até o ano 2004 a utilização da medicina forense como ferramenta que facilita o processo de esclarecimento de fato criminoso. Contudo, outras disciplinas, entre elas a entomologia forense, começaram a ser utilizadas após o estabelecimento do Novo Sistema Acusatório no ano de 2005 em Bogotá e no Eje Cafetero (região cafeeira). Com o objetivo de gerar novas ferramentas dentro de processos judiciários, é apresentada aqui a sucessão de insetos em carcaça exposta de Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758 (Suidae) e a Matriz de Ocorrência das espécies colonizadoras. O estudo foi realizado em zona rural da cidade de Pereira, localizada em floresta úmida pré-montana, de outubro a novembro de 2006. O período amostral foi de 27 dias e foram coletados 3198 indivíduos, sendo as seguintes as espécies colonizadoras dos estágios de decomposição: Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) fresco; Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius 1775) inchado; Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819),Compsomyiops verena (Walker, 1849), Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) e Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 ativo; Fannia sp. avançado e Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen, 1826) restos. Este estudo gera ferramentas para definição do Intervalo Pós-Morte, que poderá ser utilizado por peritos de instituições do governo e laboratórios oficialmente acreditadas.

Occurrence of Hymenoptera on Sus scrofa carcasses during summer and winter seasons in southeastern Brazil

Considerable importance has been given to nest construction and larval food transport to the nest as a precondition for the eusociality of insects. Most adult hymenopterans feed on liquids, although bees and a few wasps may also feed on pollen. Carrion represents an additional source of protein for some species and they will scavenge for dead animals in the wild. This paper aims at analyzing Hymenoptera visitors on a pig carcass during the process of decomposition, in the summer of 2005 and the winter of 2006 in Brazil, and comparing the results with other studies in the Neotropical region. To our knowledge, this is the first study which described the occurence of Agelaia pallipes, Polybia paulista and Scaptotrigona depilis on decomposing carcasses in southeastern Brazil. It also raises the hypothesis of possible applications of Hymenoptera to achieve more precise PMI estimations, apart from other insects already known as having great importance in such estimates.

Considerável importância tem sido dada às construções de ninhos e transporte de alimento larval para o ninho como uma pré-condição para a eusociabilidade dos insetos. Muitos adultos de himenópteros alimentam-se em líquidos, embora as abelhas e poucas vespas podem também se alimentarem de pólen. Carcaças representam uma fonte adicional de proteína para algumas espécies e elas foram uma vez observadas se alimentando de animais mortos na natureza. Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar Hymenoptera visitantes em carcaças de porcos durante o verão de 2005 e inverno de 2006 no Brasil, ao longo dos estágios de decomposição, comparando com resultados de outros estudos na região Neotropical. Pelo nosso conhecimento, esse é o primeiro estudo que descreveu a ocorrência de Agelaia pallipes, Polybia paulista e Scaptotrigona depilis em carcaças em decomposição no sudeste do Brasil. Isso também aumenta a hipótese na possibilidade de aplicação de Hymenoptera em auxiliar a estimar o IPM de maneira mais precisa, sem levar em conta insetos que já possuem grande importância forense.

Synchronous use of maggots and diatoms in decomposed bodies.

The use of maggots and diatoms conjointly has proved to be an important factor in the medicolegal cases referred with advance decomposition. In practice it is quite much difficult to determine Post Mortem Interval (PMI) and as well as to ascertain ante-mortem drowning factor in the bodies, which are being recovered with advance putrefaction. However the analysis of co-existing evidences associated with corpses viz: Maggots and diatoms may reveal to draw fairly sound inferences, relating to PMI and drowning mode of death as well, especially in the decomposed bodies. Otherwise, it would not be possible to solve the cases of this nature. The present paper enumerates the two case studies recently reported in year 2003 emphasizing about the medicolegal application of both the evidences simultaneously in the cases with advance decomposition.