The Succession of Flies of Forensic Importance Is Influenced by Volatiles Organic Compounds Emitted During the First Hours of Decomposition of Chicken Remains

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology 2020-09, Vol.57 (5), p.1411-1420
• Main Authors: Recinos-Aguilar, Yensy María, García-García, María Dolores, Malo, Edi A., Cruz-López, Leopoldo, Cruz-Esteban, Samuel, Rojas, Julio C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; attractants; blow fly; Blowflies; Book publishing; Calliphoridae - growth & development; Calliphoridae - physiology; Chickens; Cresols; Decomposition; Decomposition reactions; Dimethyl trisulfide; Diptera; Diptera - growth & development; Diptera - physiology; DIRECT INJURY, MYIASIS, FORENSICSS; Emission; Emissions; Female; Females; Flies; forensic entomology; Forensic science; Indoles; Insect ecology; Insects; Larva - growth & development; Larva - physiology; Male; Organic compounds; Phenols; Population Dynamics; Postmortem Changes; VOCs; Volatile compounds; volatile organic compound; Volatile organic compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; Volatile Organic Compounds - metabolism; Volatiles
• ISSN: 0022-2585; 1938-2928
• DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa064

After death, a series of primary reactions occur that produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the environment. In this study, we investigated if the succession of flies of forensic importance in the first hours after death is mediated by VOCs in order to better understanding of the ecology of necrophagous insects. In total, 685 adult insects (Diptera and Hymenoptera) were collected by traps baited with chicken remains at different decomposition times (0, 6, 12, 24, 36, or 48 h). Of the total of insects caught, individuals from six families of Diptera can be cataloged of forensic importance. The most abundant dipteran family was Piophilidae with 213 individuals, followed by Calliphoridae with 178 specimens. Of the total flies caught, 90% were females and the rest were males. Most of the caught females were categorized as gravid, which visited more often the decaying tissues compared to nongravid females. The abundance of the flies increased in the remains with a longer time of decomposition. Six VOCs emitted in different relative quantities were identified according to the decomposition time of the remains. An apparent association was observed between the emission of ρ-cresol with Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), between the emission of phenol, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide with Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), and between the emissions of indole with Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius).