四季尸食性蝇类参与尸体软组织分解过程初探

目的观察了解四季尸食性蝇类参与尸体软组织分解过程的规律。方法在室外自然环境中设置尸体,分别在春、夏、秋、冬季节,用肉眼观察尸体每一时段的变化及尸食性蝇类参与尸体分解的现象。结果在4个不同的季节中,尸体软组织分解过程中尸食性蝇类参与种类及虫态各不相同。通过观察获得尸体变化各阶段的大体历期,尸体变化各阶段常见的尸食性蝇种及虫态资料。结论观察所得资料可为推测晚期尸体的死亡时间提供参考。     

石河子春季常见尸食性昆虫种类及丝光绿蝇发育观察

目的观察新疆石河子市区尸食性昆虫的种类及温度对优势种丝光绿蝇生长发育的影响。方法 2007年和2008年的4月15日至6月15日在石河子市（E44.18°、N86.00°）3个不同地点诱集尸食性昆虫,并鉴定分类。将优势种丝光绿蝇在不同温度下饲养,观察其体长、体重、羽化率、雌雄比、历期等生长发育特点。结果石河子地区春季3个不同地点共诱集到尸食性昆虫6目14科16种,其中以膜翅目、双翅目和鞘翅目为主;丝光绿蝇幼虫体长、体重随着温度升高而增长、增加,化蛹时又有所缩短、减轻;不同的温度对幼虫的羽化率和雌雄比影响不明显。结论本文所得数据可为新疆石河子地区的法医昆虫学及相关研究和实践提供一定参考。     

四种常见尸食性蝇类活动与产卵习性

目的　明确常见尸食性昆虫成虫的活动习性和产卵习性 ,为法医实践中死后间隔时间的判断提供借鉴 ;　方法　在自然温度、室内恒温及包括夜晚、雨天等 2 6种不同环境条件对丝光绿蝇、大头金蝇、巨尾阿利蝇、棕尾别麻蝇成虫活动与产卵 (产仔 )习性进行了观察 ;　结果　昆虫成虫的活动与产卵习性在不同环境条件下往往不同 ,不同种类之间也存在差异 ,在利用昆虫发生规律为法医实践提供死亡时间等信息时 ,应具体问题具体分析。     

四种常见尸食性蝇类活动与产卵习性

目的：明确常见尸食性昆虫成虫的活动习性和产卵习性,为法医实践中死后间隔时间的判断提供借鉴;方法：在自然温度、室内恒温及包括夜晚、雨天等26种不同环境条件对丝光绿蝇、大头金蝇、巨尾阿利蝇、棕尾别麻蝇成虫活动与产卵（产仔）习性进行了观察;结果：昆虫成虫的活动与产卵习性在不同环境条件下往往不同,不同种类之间也存在差异,在利用昆虫发生规律为法医实践提供死亡时间等信息时,应具体问题具体分析。     

尸食性蝇类的调查与研究内容

本文总结概括了尸食性蝇类研究的内容及方法,并简要介绍笔者的研究体会,以供相关专业学者对昆虫学相关内容进行研究时参考,也为法医学实践中利用在尸体及现场留下的尸食性蝇类信息为侦查破案提供证据时所借鉴。     

嗜尸性蝇类种属鉴定研究进展

死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)推断一直是困扰法医学工作者的难题之一,尤其是荒郊野外或偏僻屋内的高度腐败尸体更是难以使用常规手段推断PMI,因此常需要借助现场中的昆虫证据来推断.不同种属的蝇类发育时间差异较大,在实际案件中,如果不进行种属鉴定而直接测量蝇蛆体长、计算积温或演替阶段,或是基于错误...     

利用嗜尸性蝇类辅助推断死亡时间1例

<正>1案例资料1.1简要案情某年4月28日,某村民放羊时发现1具高度腐败的女尸。尸体位于一山坡上,呈右侧仰卧位,周围未见明显搏斗痕迹,其旁发现"敌敌畏"空农药瓶1个及白瓷碗1个。尸体头面部周围见大量死亡的成蝇,其衣物下见少量空蛹壳。     

新乡地区夏季常见嗜尸性昆虫群落演替规律初步研究

目的研究新乡地区夏季嗜尸性昆虫的种类及其群落演替规律。方法观察法研究新乡医学院动物房后偏僻草地上6只大白鼠和5只家兔尸体腐败过程中嗜尸性蝇类的主要物种及其群落演替规律。结果该地区主要出现嗜尸性蝇类为双翅目3科7种,包括家蝇、大头金蝇、丝光绿蝇、棕尾别麻蝇、黑尾黑麻蝇、厩腐蝇、元厕蝇,且呈现出演替规律性。结论研究结果可作为新乡地区对尸体死亡时间的推断依据。     

西藏自治区中南部地区嗜尸性蝇类种类组成及分布

死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)推断一直是涉及人员死亡的刑事案件现场勘验中法医调查的重点和难点[1].嗜尸性蝇类证据的应用是解决死亡时间推断特别是腐败尸体死亡时间推断的有效手段之一,但前提是要立足案发当地常见嗜尸性蝇类的种类及分布特点,并据此建立具体种类的发育史数据库.     

北京地区尸生性蝇类研究及其在法医鉴定中的应用

为提供法医学尸体死亡时间鉴定的准确性，对北京地区人尸上蝇类区系进行了系统调查（1994～1996）。发现本地区共有双翅目尸生性蝇类3科、12属、14种。其中常见种有红头丽蝇、丝光绿蝇、大头金蝇、肥须亚麻蝇、急钓亚麻蝇、棕尾别麻蝇和家蝇7种。对其常见种的幼虫进行不同温度和湿度下培养，观察常见环境因素，如日历期、风雨天气等因素对其生长发育速率的影响。结果表明，蝇类幼虫在其适宜生长发育的温度范围内，随着温度的升高发育速率加快，历期缩短；在同一温度和同一饲养条件下，发育速率因种而异；平均温度在28℃左右时，蝇类幼虫发育最快，尤其是1～2龄幼虫，时间为1天左右，且较稳定。这些数据对法医学推断死亡时间具有参考价值。     

Quantifying the Temperature of Maggot Masses and its Relationship to Decomposition

Numerous Calliphoridae species have been observed to form larval aggregations during the feeding stage of development, resulting in localized increases in temperature. This study investigates the relationship between maggot numbers in a mass and heat generation. Single‐species aggregations (Lucilia sericata) of various sizes (50–2500 individuals) were reared in the laboratory at a constant ambient temperature of 22°C. Internal mass temperatures were recorded every 5 min throughout the feeding stage of development. Results showed that mass temperatures increased with mass numbers (p‐value < 0.001), ranging from 2.5 to 14°C above ambient. A minimum mass size of 1200 produced overall temperatures that were significantly warmer than ambient, diverging away from 22°C after c. 26 h. These results indicate that the microclimate of a mass has the potential to differ significantly from ambient, which may be influencing larval development rates and should therefore be factored into mPMI estimates to increase accuracy.     

Growth of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) Maggots in a Morgue Cooler*

Abstract: In estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) using maggots obtained during autopsy, the forensic entomologist makes decisions regarding the effects of low‐temperature storage of the body on the insects. In this case report, a corpse was found in an abandoned house in the residential area of Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia. The maggots were found to be alive inside the mouth of the deceased although the corpse had been in the morgue cooler for 12 days. The maggots were reared and identified as Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius). The emerged adult flies were kept as a stock colony, and the duration of development under the indoor fluctuating temperature regime was studied. The total duration of developmental process of this species was 9.5 ± 0.5 days, and the PMI estimated was 3.2 ± 0.6 days. This case report demonstrates the survival of Ch. megacephala maggots for 12 days and their growth inside the morgue cooler.     

Internal Morphological Analysis for Age Estimation of Blow Fly Pupae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Postmortem Interval Estimation*

Abstract: Larvae and pupae of blow fly species are frequently used in postmortem interval estimation, their age indicating minimum time since death. Most studies have considered age estimation of larvae, neglecting study of pupae. Relative development of external pupal features is useful, but there are also internal changes during metamorphosis that may be indicators of age, utilizing histological techniques. This study aimed to optimize preservation and histological analysis of blow fly pupae, specifically Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy and Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and to examine internal features with potential for age estimation. Effect of hot‐water‐killing and different preservatives were examined. It was determined that blow fly pupae should be pierced through the three tagma, hot‐water‐killed, and preserved in 80% ethanol as the optimal preservation for subsequent analyses. Hematoxylin and eosin stained pupal sections revealed differences in brain and thoracic muscle development throughout the pupal stage with potential for age estimation.     

Use of thermal drone in detection and assessment of larval mass temperature in decomposed rabbit carcasses

Manual ground searches and cadaver dogs are traditional methods for locating remains, but they can be time- and resource-intensive, resulting in the decomposition of bodies and delay in victim identification. Therefore, thermal imaging has been proposed as a potentially useful tool for detecting remains based on their temperature. This study investigated the potential of a novel search technique of thermal drones to detect surface remains through the detection of maggot mass temperatures. Two trials were carried out at Selangor, Malaysia, each utilizing 12 healthy male Oryctolagus cuniculus European white rabbits and DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone China, equipped with a thermal camera; Zenmuse H20T to record the thermal imaging footage of the carcasses at various heights (15, 30, 60–100 m) for 14 days for each trial. Our results demonstrated that the larval masses and corresponding heat emissions were at their largest during the active decay stage; therefore, all the carcasses were observable in thermal images on day 5 and remained until day 7. Statistical analyses showed that (1) no statistically significant differences in thermal images between clothed and unclothed subjects (p > 0.05); (2) 15 m above ground level was proven to be the optimal height, as it showed the greatest contrast between the carcass heat signature and the background (p < 0.005). Our data suggested the potential window of detection of thermal signatures was detectable up to 7 days post-deposition. This could be an important guideline for the search and recovery teams for operational implementation in this tropical region.     

A Forensic Entomological Analysis Can Yield an Estimate of Postmortem Interval,and Not Just a Minimum Postmortem Interval: An Explanation and Illustration Using a Case

Several authors claimed that a forensic entomological analysis can never be interpreted as the postmortem interval (PMI), but that it can be interpreted as a minimum postmortem interval (PMI_min), or dead for not less than X amount of time. Because in most instances, a PMI estimate should be a range, that is, the set of values from maximum postmortem interval (PMI_max) to PMI_min, objections to PMI estimation are objections to PMI_max estimation. The arguments for this position did not address the substantial body of literature describing estimation of both PMI_max and PMI_min using insect succession analysis. This report reviews the scientific issues and presents a recent homicide investigation in which several forensic entomology experts used the absence of carrion insects on the corpse, a kind of succession analysis, to estimate PMI or PMI_max.     

Measurement of Postmortem Pupil Size: A New Method with Excellent Reliability and Its Application to Pupil Changes in the Early Postmortem Period

Measurement of postmortem pupil width is a potential component of death time estimation. However, no standardized measurement method has been described. We analyzed a total of 71 digital images for pupil–iris ratio using the software ImageJ. Images were analyzed three times by four different examiners. In addition, serial images from 10 cases were taken between 2 and 50 h postmortem to detect spontaneous pupil changes. Intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of the method was excellent (ICC > 0.95). The method is observer independent and yields consistent results, and images can be digitally stored and re‐evaluated. The method seems highly eligible for forensic and scientific purposes. While statistical analysis of spontaneous pupil changes revealed a significant polynomial of quartic degree for postmortem time (p = 0.001), an obvious pattern was not detected. These results do not indicate suitability of spontaneous pupil changes for forensic death time estimation, as formerly suggested.     

A Characterization of Sources of Isopropanol Detected on Postmortem Toxicologic Analysis

Abstract: Isopropanol is an important chemical to forensic pathologists in that intoxication can result in death yet presence does not necessarily indicate intoxication. Several reports have been published, which indicate that isopropanol can be created endogenously in certain situations including diabetes mellitus, starvation, dehydration, and chronic ethanol use; however, a large‐scale analysis addressing all of the possible causes of postmortem isopropanol detection has not been performed. A retrospective review of all cases examined at the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office between 1993 and 2008 in which isopropanol was detected in routine alcohol screening was undertaken. The cases were categorized by the source of the isopropanol, and the concentrations of isopropanol and acetone were analyzed. Analysis revealed isopropanol concentrations to be low (<100 mg/dL) in cases of antemortem and postmortem creation and in postmortem contamination and high (>100 mg/dL) in cases of antemortem exposure. These results are consistent with other published reports.     

Artifacts Caused by Leaf-Cutting Ants of the Genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Postmortem Bite Injuries and the Tearing of Clothes

Ants are one of the first insects to find an exposed cadaver and can be present during all stages of decomposition. Although these organisms are not commonly used in postmortem interval estimates, they are to be taken into account on criminal investigations involving human corpses, since they can leave bite marks that can be mistaken for antemortem or perimortem injuries, which could be misleading when ascertaining the occurrence of abuse or physical altercation during a crime. A few studies report the action of ants on human cadavers and even though leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta are frequently encountered in succession studies that use animal carcasses, there are no records of these fungus-growing species on human corpses. Atta is a genus restricted to the New World, ranging from northern Argentina to southern United States and acts as one of the most conspicuous neotropical herbivores. In this study, we report three cases of violent death that illustrate the impact of ants, especially those of the genus Atta, in a forensic setting. We compare the patterns displayed by postmortem bite injuries caused by leaf-cutter ants and other common species with less robust mandibles. We also present the capability of Atta ants to create artifacts by cutting victim’s clothes in a crime scene, contributing to the knowledge of ant-mediated confounding factors in crime scene investigation.     

The Effects of Soil Environment on Postmortem Interval: A Macroscopic Analysis

Abstract:  Burial environment, in particular soil moisture, has a significant impact on the type, rate, and extent of bone degradation, which ultimately affects estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI). The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of soil moisture on the color, weight, condition, and texture of bone as it relates to the PMI. Bone changes occurring over two different time intervals (2 and 5 months) were examined using 120 sus scrofa leg bones. During each time interval bones were buried in two soil environments, one of which was drier than the other. The bones in both environments lost weight over time but the net weight loss was greater for bones in the higher moisture environment. There was no change in color, texture, or overall condition, indicating that 150 days is not long enough for such alterations to occur, regardless of the moisture level of the burial environment.     

A Study on the Estimation of Postmortem Interval Based on Environmental Temperature and Concentrations of Substance in Vitreous Humor

A method to determine postmortem interval (PMI) based on environmental temperature and the concentrations of vitreous humor (VH) molecules were explored. Rabbit carcasses were placed in a chamber at 5, 15, 25, or 35°C, and 80–100 μL of VH was collected with the double‐eye alternating micro‐sampling method every 12 h. A Roche DPPI biochemical analyzer was used to measure the concentrations of six substances in VH samples. The interpolation function model and mixed‐effect model were employed for data fitting to establish equations for PMI estimation. The concentrations of K⁺, P, Mg²⁺, creatinine (CRE), and urea nitrogen (UN) exhibited an upward trend with increasing PMI in all temperature groups, while the concentration of Ca²⁺ showed a downward trend. Validation results using K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions revealed that the mixed‐effect model provided a better estimation than the interpolation function model using the data from our experiment. However, both models were able to estimate PMI using temperature and VH molecule concentrations.