Changes in the morphology and presumptive chemistry of impact and pooled bloodstain patterns by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Bloodstain pattern analysis can be critical to accurate crime scene reconstruction. However, bloodstain patterns can be altered in the presence of insects and can confound crime scene reconstruction. To address this problem, we conducted a series of controlled laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) on impact bloodstains and pooled bloodstains in association with three combinations of common surfaces (linoleum/painted drywall, wood floor/wallpaper, and carpet/wood paneling). L. sericata fed from the pooled bloodstains and added insect stains through regurgitation and defecation of consumed blood. L. sericata formed defecatory trails of insect stains that indicated directionality. Defecatory stains fluoresced when viewed at 465 nm with an orange filter. These observations differed from Calliphora vicina insect stains because feeding on blood spatter was not observed and trails of insect stains were formed by L. sericata. The fluorescence of defecatory stains can be used as a method to detect insect stains and discriminate them from real bloodstains.     

Variation in Developmental Time for Geographically Distinct Populations of the Common Green Bottle Fly,Lucilia sericata (Meigen)*

Abstract: Time between death and discovery of remains, or postmortem interval (PMI), can be assessed using blow fly maggot age. Forensic entomologists rely on published, often nonlocal, species‐specific developmental tables to determine maggot age. In a series of common garden experiments, we investigated the developmental rate variation between populations of Lucilia sericata collected from Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, and Easton, MA at 16°C, 26°C, and 36°C. For the 16°C trial the time measurement started at egg hatch, while for the higher temperatures the experiment began at oviposition; the wandering stage signified the endpoint for all experiments. The distribution of developmental times differed significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.001) between the three populations within each temperature treatment. We discovered that regional variation of developmental times within a blow fly species exists. This study demonstrates the importance of assembling local population‐specific developmental tables when estimating larval age to determine PMI.     

二次溅落状血迹形态的模拟实验观察

目的观察二次溅落状血迹的形态特征,探讨其形成机理及与行为方式的关系。方法建立室内现场环境,用10mL血液,以单滴连续滴落或一次性倾倒方式,从10～160 cm高度以10 cm为间隔,制作二次溅落状血迹模型;用棍棒打击及撞击方式制作低位打击及头部撞击溅落血迹模型。观察各种血迹分布,并分析比较其形态差异。结果二次溅落状血迹和头部撞击溅落状血迹在垂直面上均形成倒三角形空白区域的分布形态,但前者分布面积较后者小;低位打击溅落在垂直面上的血迹无此特征,且打击飞溅血滴的飞行角度大于二次溅落血迹。结论利用二次溅落状血迹的形态特征,对于鉴别低位溅血、分析行为方式、证实相关证词具有重要价值。     

The Influence of Clothing and Wrapping on Carcass Decomposition and Arthropod Succession During the Warmer Seasons in Central South Africa*

Abstract: The influence of clothing and wrapping on carcass decomposition and arthropod succession was investigated to provide data to enable estimated postmortem interval in homicide investigations. Six pig carcasses, Sus scrofa, were divided into three sample groups, each with a clothed carcass wrapped and a carcass wrapped with no clothes. Two more carcasses, one with no clothes or wrapping, the other with clothes and no wrapping were used as controls. The clothed or wrapped carcasses had larger visible maggot masses, which moved more freely and these carcasses took longer to dry out. The blow fly maggot masses were dominated by Chrysomya marginalis and Chrysomya albiceps. Oviposition occurred simultaneously on all carcasses. High temperatures in one case caused significant maggot mortality. The Coleoptera community was dominated by Silphidae, Thanathopilus micans larvae, Dermestidae, Dermestes maculatus adults and larvae, and Cleridae, Necrobia rufipes.     

动脉喷溅血迹动力学及形态学的模拟实验观察

目的观察不同压力、管径对在水平方向上形成的喷溅状血迹的喷射距离及形态的影响。方法建立室内现场环境,利用自制的模拟喷射装置,在60～210mmHg范围内设6种压力,在1.5～4.5mm范围内设4种管径条件,于50、100、150cm 3种高度,制作动脉喷溅血迹。观察水平面上不同喷射高度的喷溅血迹的分布范围、血迹大小及形态特征,并测量其距离,采用SPSS 13.0统计软件进分析,并进行方差检验。结果在不同高度,血液喷射距离随压力增大而增加,随管径增大而减小,两因素间存在交互作用,距离与压力及管径存在较好的线性关系,可得出回归方程。而喷溅血迹的形态特征总体趋势为:高度越高圆形血滴直径约大;管径越粗,边缘毛刺状突起越明显;压力越大,喷射距离越远,且卫星状血迹逐渐增多,拖尾更拉长;随管径的增加,出现椭圆形血滴所需的压力越高。结论动脉喷溅血迹的形态及喷射距离的观察与测量,可用于推断命案现场喷溅源位置及人体受损伤时的体位。     

Three species of insects collected from an adult human corpse above 3300 m in elevation: a review of a case from Colorado

We report on the colonization of an adult human corpse by three insect species at 3350 m (11,000 ft) in elevation. The adult silphid Thanatophilus coloradensis (Wickham), adults of the blow fly Calliphora coloradensis (Hough), and larvae and adults of Lucilia silvarum (Meigen) were all collected from the victim's body which had been wrapped in plastic. The victim was found in late June in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. This paper provides additional confirmation of the taxa utilizing a human corpse at high elevations in Colorado.     

现场血迹推断出血点位置的研究进展

血迹是命案现场最常见的痕迹之一,对血迹形态的分析是一种重建犯罪现场的有效方法,而根据现场血迹推断出血点位置则是血迹形态分析的主要任务之一。随着血迹研究的不断发展,出现了许多不同的方法（如传统拉线法、三角函数法、绘图法、计算机程序法、公式计算法、回归方程法等）用于推断出血点位置。通过结合国内外相关文献,对不同的方法进行了综述,以期为相关研究提供参考。