Study of poisoning cases in decomposed bodies in Rajkot region

The entomological study of decomposed bodies can provide an additional potential source of evidence to conclude the poisoning as cause of death. This study was carried out over 2 years at P.D.U. Medical College, Rajkot (Gujarat), where 76 cases showing changes of decomposition were studied. Place of incidence were recorded and entomological evidences noticed. Cause of death and time since death were determined. Among these, in 10 cases it was established that the victim had died as a result of poisoning. This study indicates that in presence of decomposition, the absence of entomological evidences like absence of maggots leads to strong suspicion of poisoning, especially if associated with offensive smell. In poisoning cases dead maggots or dead flies over the body are one of the corroborative observations.