Abai, MR

6th International Congress of DipterologyRole of insects in practical forensic medicineHitosugi, M. (1), Y. Chigusa (2), K. Ishii (3), A. Kurosu (1), M. Kido (1), T. Nagai (1), S.Tokudome (1)(1) Department of Legal Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Medicine,Tochigi 321-0293, Japan(2) Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University,School of Medicine, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan(3) Department of Natural Science (Biology), Dokkyo Medical University, School ofMedicine, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanEntomological information can sometimes help to determine theminimum time that has elapsed since death when medical parameters areno longer relevant. Flies are the first insects to colonize decomposingcadavers. Therefore, collecting adult insects and larvae can identify flyspecies and instar stage, respectively, and thus provide usefulentomological evidence. We present some actual cases in which forensicentomology has contributed to estimating postmortem duration.1) Burned cadaverPostmortem interval cannot be determined from the superficialappearance or from decompositional changes in the organs of severelyburned cadavers. We collected third instar larvae of the flesh fly,Parasarcophaga similis, from a severely charred cadaver discovered in acoppice. Entomological evidence confirmed that the postmortem intervalwas about 4 days.2) Cadaver near waterAlthough flies and other terrestrial insects cannot access submersedcadavers, they can be attracted to them when they float to the surface.Third instar larvae of the flesh flies, Parasarcophaga similis andBoettcherisca peregrina, and dermapteran larva, Euborellia sp. werecollected from a severely decomposed cadaver discovered beside a river.The entomological evidence indicated that the body had been out of thewater for about 7 days.3) Cadaver inside a carAutomobiles are frequent disposal sites of cadavers. Third instarlarvae of the flesh fly, Boettcherisca peregrina were collected from a body107