1Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, (M.P.)
2Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, L.N. Medical College, Kolar Road, Bhopal, M.P.
3Assistant Professor, Department of FMT, Medical College, Jagdalpur, Chatissgarh
4Senior Forensic Specialist, Home (Police) department, Medico legal Institute, Govt. of M.P., Bhopal, M.P.
*Corresponding author: Dr. Sandeep Singh Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, L.N. Medical College, Bhopal (M.P.), E-mail: sandeepsingh07@gmail.com
Online published on 2 January, 2017.
Forensic entomology refers to the science of exploring vivid information as determined from the distribution of insects and their derivative in the investigation of various events related to death/crime. Dead human corpses are tempting hosts to a wide variety of insect species ranging from fungi to arthropods. This infestation occurs within minutes after death and leads to changes in the pre-existing conditions by their activities, their by favouring subsequent invasion by a different array of organisms/species. These insects approach the corpse in second to few minutes, lay eggs in natural orifices/wound sites, pass through various developmental stages, feed on the corpse ensuing further decomposition.
The objective of the present study is to identify the species/subspecies of organisms infesting human corpses during various stages of decomposition, to study seasonal variations of species infesting the corpse, to find affinity of these species to some specific locale and to establish secondary wave of faunal activity.
The present was carried out on 100 decomposed corpse under guidance from expert entomologist where various forms of entomological evidences were available. This study was carried out in the mortuary of Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal from 2009 to 2012. All necessary information regarding scene of crime, location, climatological conditions were recorded based on police papers, history narrated by relatives and meteorological conditions prevalent. Postmortem examination was done and various samples collected were subject to rearing. Available cases were categorized in five stages: Stage I-Fresh, Stage II-Bloated, Stage III-Active decay, Stage IV-Post decay and Stage V-Skeletonized. Seasonal prevalence of various insect species was done and location wise distribution of various species was also done. All available records were then analyzed to arrive at the goals of present study.
Out of 100 cases, 54 were known, 46 were unknown. 82 cases were males and 18 cases were females. Life cycle stages of various fly species were the commonest collected evidences. Calliphorids were found in 78% cases, Sarcophagids in 13%, Muscidae in 3% cases, Calliphora in 2% cases, in 4% cases species remained unidentified. Beetles were found in 8 cases, cockroaches in 05 cases and red ants in 01 case. C. Megacephala was found in 55.2% cases and C. Rufifaces in 43.2% cases. Maximum activity of insects with overlapping was found in rainy season (July to September). C. Rufifaces was more commonly observed in corpse found in less habitat places.
In the present study outlines the fact that human corpses provide platform for a progressively changing niche to a wide variety of organisms in phased manner. The condition of the corpse changes and provide nidus for a different set of species, hence representing faunal succession. The silent testimony of these little creatures can provide promising help in solving related crimes.
Corpses, Entomology, Fauna, Successional wave
