Estimating the Post-mortem Interval Using Black Larder Beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae): A Case Study of Cats Abandoned Indoors in Daegu, Korea / 대한법의학회지

Black larder beetles prefer to feed on decomposing animal bodies, particularly those that are dried. When conditions are dry and warm, these beetles often appear in large numbers on dried animal carcasses. In our case, the dried carcasses of several cats were found nearly skeletonized at a villa in Daegu Metropolitan City on July 13, 2022. There were very few empty pupae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) in the villa, but many adult black larder beetles, larvae, and larval cast skin (exuviae) (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Küster) belonging to the family of larder beetles (Dermestidae) were found. We estimated the minimum post-mortem interval to be 44.5 days using temperature data from the nearest meteorological observatory and reported animal carcass decomposition and Dermestidae developmental rates. Police investigation confirmed that the cats were alive at least 3 months ago. Consequently, the neglected cats could not have been deceased in the villa for more than 3 months. As a result, the estimate closely matched the statement from the suspect.

Pictorial Identification Key for Blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of Potential Forensic Importance in Korea / 대한법의학회지

The aim of this study was to investigate necrophagous blowflies to confirm their forensic importance in criminal investigations and to produce a pictorial key to easily identify blowflies that are likely to be present at the scene of death. Of the 26 calliphorid species recorded in Korea, 16 species were sampled from 103 animal cadavers including 63 rabbits and 40 pigs. We identified 13 species in Calliphorinae, Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich), Calliphora nigribarbis Vollenhoven (= C. lata Coquillett), C. subalpina (Ringdahl), C. vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy), C. vomitoria (L.), Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve, L. caesar (L.), L. cuprina (Wiedemann), L. illustris (Meigen), L. papuensis Macquart, L. porphyrina (Walker), and L. sericata (Meigen), and three species in Chrysomyinae, Chrysomya megacephala (F.), Ch. pinguis (Walker), and Ch. rufifacies (Macquart). They were repeatedly recorded from various localities in different habitats and seasons. These species should be given importance in approaches to forensic science particularly as their ecological implications are well understood. An identification key for these forensically essential species is prepared in a user-friendly manner using characteristics easily visible to the bare eye or at least under a magnifying glass.

Carrion Beetles (Coleoptera, Silphidae) of Potential Forensic Importance and Their Pictorial Identification Key by User-Friendly Characters in Korea / 대한법의학회지

To date, 26 species of silphid beetles in nine genera within two subfamilies have been recorded in Korea, among which, we examined necrophilous and necrobiont silphids with the aim of identifying candidate species that could be used as forensic indicators. We compiled a list of 15 species in seven genera and two subfamilies based on specimens obtained from 36 repeated experiments using pig cadavers and a search of previous literature: seven species in the subfamily Nicrophorinae (Nicrophorus concolor Kraatz, Nicrophorus maculifrons Kraatz, Nicrophorus quadraticollis Portevin, Nicrophorus quadripunctatus Kraatz, Nicrophorus tenuipes Lewis, Nicrophorus vespilloides Herbst, and Ptomascopus morio Kraatz), and eight species in the subfamily Silphinae (Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus), Necrodes nigricornis Harold, Necrophila brunneicollis brunneicollis (Kraatz), Necrophila (Eusilpha) jakowlewi jakowlewi (Semenov), Oiceoptoma thoracicum (Linnaeus), Silpha (Phosphuga) atrata atrata Linnaeus, Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus), and Thanatophilus sinuatus (Fabricius)). The association of these beetles with carcasses is supported by previous reports of their attraction to baited pitfall traps. The asymptote of species accumulation was determined according to the number of samplings. On the basis of the findings of this study, we believe that the 15 identified silphid species are obligate cadaver feeders and could serve as a definitive range of silphids essential for forensic investigation. However, given that criminal investigators without sufficient entomological knowledge may be unable to identify the silphid beetles obtained from corpses, we have also produced a user-friendly pictorial key that should facilitate identification of the silphids of forensic importance in Korea.

A Comparison of Growth Curve Models for Forensically Important Flies Using Sigmoid Functions / 대한법의학회지

To estimate postmortem interval, it is essential to obtain information regarding fly growth. Analyzing the relationship between growth period and body length using a sigmoid function is widely accepted in animal science. However, in forensic entomology, it is difficult to find studies related to growth period and body length. Therefore, we compared growth curve models for forensically important flies using sigmoid functions. we used the data from flour fly species (Calliphora lata, Calliphora vicina, Chrysomya pinguis, and Lucilia illustris) and fited these against five sigmoid functions: quadratic-plateau model, logistic model, Gompertz model, von Bertalanffy model, and Brody model. Model evaluation criteria were, R2 mean squared error (MSE), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The von Bertalanffy model yielded the highest R2 value and the lowest MSE, AIC, and BIC values for C. lata, whereas the logistic model was the best fit for the data from the other three species C. vicina, Ch. pinguis, and L. illustris.

Preoperative arterial embolization of heterotopic ossification around the hip joint / 영남의대학술지

Heterotopic ossification (HO) around the hip joint is not uncommon following neurological injury. Often, surgical treatment is performed in patients with restricted motion and/or refractory pain due to grade III or IV HO according to Brooker classification. The major complication that occurs as a result of surgical HO removal is perioperative bleeding due to hyper-vascularization of the lesion. Here, we report a case of preoperative embolization in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with restricted bilateral hip range of motion (ROM) due to HO following a spinal cord injury. In the right hip without preoperative arterial embolization, massive bleeding occurred during surgical removal of HO. Thus, the patient received a transfusion postoperatively due to decreased serum hemoglobin levels. For surgery of the left hip, preoperative embolization of the arteries supplying HO was performed. Surgical treatment was completed without bleeding complications, and the patient recovered without a postoperative transfusion. This case highlights that, while completing surgical removal for ROM improvements, orthopedic surgeons should consider preoperative arterial embolization in patients with hip HO.

Preoperative arterial embolization of heterotopic ossification around the hip joint / 영남의대학술지

Heterotopic ossification (HO) around the hip joint is not uncommon following neurological injury. Often, surgical treatment is performed in patients with restricted motion and/or refractory pain due to grade III or IV HO according to Brooker classification. The major complication that occurs as a result of surgical HO removal is perioperative bleeding due to hyper-vascularization of the lesion. Here, we report a case of preoperative embolization in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with restricted bilateral hip range of motion (ROM) due to HO following a spinal cord injury. In the right hip without preoperative arterial embolization, massive bleeding occurred during surgical removal of HO. Thus, the patient received a transfusion postoperatively due to decreased serum hemoglobin levels. For surgery of the left hip, preoperative embolization of the arteries supplying HO was performed. Surgical treatment was completed without bleeding complications, and the patient recovered without a postoperative transfusion. This case highlights that, while completing surgical removal for ROM improvements, orthopedic surgeons should consider preoperative arterial embolization in patients with hip HO.

Application of Integrative Lecturing to Basic Medicine Courses for Undergraduate Health Allied Sciences Students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: In spite of the rapidly expanding importance of the basic sciences, the number of professors teaching basic sciences in medicine has not changed in the last decade. Thus, the need for new methods of teaching and learning has increased. The purpose of this study was to develop and assess integrative lecturing in the basic sciences for undergraduate allied health sciences students. METHODS: We developed an alternate form of lecturing in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pathology, focusing on the gastrointestinal system. We tested several teaching strategies including E-learning, face-to-face, and practice. Students majoring in nursing (n=43), sports science (n=26), and emergency medical technology (n=35) participated and were asked to complete an anonymous survey. RESULTS: The majority of the students were satisfied with the new lecture style (86.6%). They preferred integrative lectures to traditional lectures. The degree of satisfaction with E-learning and practice were much higher than with face-to-face. Most of the students identified the knowledge of interdisciplinary relationship and participating in cadaveric dissections as the important effects of this lecture style. CONCLUSION: From this study, it can be suggested that integrative lecturing in basic sciences for public health- / medicine- related courses is effective in teaching and learning. Further studies for the development of integrative contents and system are needed.