First survey of forensically important insects from human corpses in Shiraz, Iran

• Published in: Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2018-02, Vol.54, p.62-68
• Main Authors: Moemenbellah-Fard, Mohammad D., Keshavarzi, Davood, Fereidooni, Mehran, Soltani, Aboozar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Beetles; Cadaver; Entomology; Feeding Behavior; Female; Flies; Forensic Anthropology; Forensic Pathology; Forensics; Human corpses; Humans; Insecta; Insects; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; minPMI; Postmortem Changes; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1752-928X; 1878-7487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.12.016

The presence of insects on human cadavers has potential judicial value in medicolegal cases. This research emphasized the important role of insects in postmortem decomposition. It was conducted to investigate the composition and abundance of insects from human corpses during autopsies in legal medicine. It was implemented in the city of Shiraz, south Iran. Insects associated with human corpses were carefully collected and put into labelled vials. They were then identified using valid taxonomic keys. Fifteen outdoor (67%) and indoor discovered cadavers were examined. All but one was covered at the time of discovery. From these several species of entomofauna played important roles in the minimum postmortem interval (minPMI) estimate. Insects included the orders of Diptera and Coleoptera. Overall, 14 different species of arthropods were identified. Within Diptera, 2 families of Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae were present in 73% of the cases with Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy and Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann accounting for about half of the cases. The latter family members, Calliphoridae, were more frequently (52%) collected in autumn and winter. Only 4/15 outdoor cadavers had beetles. Four species of Coleopterans; namely Dermestes frischii Kugelann, Nitidula flavomaculata Rossi, Creophilus maxillosus Linnaeus and Saprinus chalcites Illiger; were recorded for the first time from 3 corpses in Iran. The presence and diversity of different insects on human corpses could contribute to the advancement of forensic entomology knowledge and the refined estimates of minPMI in medicolegal cases. •A list of forensically-important insects found on human corpses is presented.•Three (out of 15) human corpses are described to highlight their forensic entomology.•The insect fauna present valuable means of estimating the minimum postmortem interval.