Feline Forensics: Revealing the Unique Decomposition of Cats.

Limited data about the differences between the decomposition of animals with fur exist within the forensic veterinary medicine discipline. Due to the sheer number of animals used as animal models and the number of animals that exist, determining stages of decomposition that are applicable for all species is difficult. Typically, assessing what stage of decomposition a decedent is in is subjective due to the visual assessment of decomposition changes. A method developed to rectify this issue was the total body score (TBS) method, which assigns a numerical value based on the degree of decomposition to the head, torso, and limbs. The purpose of this study was to examine the decomposition of cats, identify any unique decomposition characteristics, and determine the rate of decomposition using total body score and accumulated degree days (ADDs). Twelve domestic short-haired cats were placed in a grassy field in West Lafayette, IN. An assessment of TBS was documented for each cat and each experimental group. An exponential relationship between TBS and ADD was documented. Overall, there was not a significant difference in the rate of decomposition or total body scores between the groups (Z = -91.00, p = 0.0672).

Initial blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) colonization of cats (Felis catus) in Indiana.

Many disciplines are utilized within the field of veterinary forensic sciences, including forensic entomology. Understanding the initial colonization period by flies of forensic importance can contribute to estimating the minimum postmortem interval. There is limited data regarding the time of colonization of animals with fur, and the interpretation of this data is difficult due to the variation in animal models used. The purpose of this study was to examine the initial insect colonization of cats (Felis catus), with light and dark fur. Twelve domestic short-haired cats were placed in cages 15.2 m apart in a grassy field in West Lafayette, IN, United States. Weather data (temperature, precipitation, sun/cloud exposure, humidity), insect activity, time to oviposition, and decomposition changes were documented. Eggs from initial oviposition events were collected and reared to identify the primary colonizing species. Although the time of first oviposition event was not different between the treatments, fur color did affect fly colonization, and cats with dark fur had more oviposition events than cats with light fur (t = 2.639, df = 4, P = 0.029). Three species of Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) colonized the cats on the initial day of placement. Further studies in cats should include the decompositional studies to understand the unique characteristics that occur during each stage of decomposition, which could aid in developing a scoring system for animals with fur. Additional studies could include analyzing how fur length would affect colonization.

Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Is a Primary Colonizer of Domestic Cats (Felis catus).

Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is widespread throughout North America and Europe. Described in 1826, this blow fly was quickly associated with myiasis in amphibians, and to date has rarely been reported in carrion. There is limited data regarding the time of colonization of animals with fur and the interpretation of this data is difficult due to variation in the animal models used. During an examination of initial insect colonization of cats (Felis catus) with light and dark fur, twelve domestic short-haired cats were placed in cages 15.2 m apart in a grassy field in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Eggs from initial oviposition events were collected and reared to identify the colonizing species. Three species of Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae), including L. silvarum, colonized the cats on the initial day of placement. In this study, L. silvarum was the primary colonizer of cats, and this may be the first study where a large number of L. silvarum were collected. Further studies should include development studies on L. silvarum to understand its life history and aid in time of colonization estimations. More work regarding the colonization of furred mammals is needed to further examine L. silvarum as a primary colonizer.