1Research Student, Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab
2Director (Retd.), State Forensic Science Laboratory, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
3Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Patiala
4Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala
*Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab-147002; Contact: +91-89687-41133 E-mail: rajinder_forensic@pbi.ac.in
Online Published on 17 September, 2022.
Forensic entomology plays a significant role in the estimation of Post-mortem submersion interval (PMSI), and also helps in verifying the alibi of the suspects where the death of an individual is under question. The carcass decomposition and insect succession is highly affected by environmental factors such as the variation in season and altitude, that leads to variation in PMSI estimation.
To study the effect of season and altitude variation on insect succession and decomposition process, the rabbit has been used as animal model. The rabbit carcasses were subjected to aquatic habitats in the West Himalayan region of India during May, 2016- Jan, 2018.
During this study a total of 4 species belonging to two orders i.e. L. Cuprina, Sepsis (genus), M. Scalaris and Silphidae (family) were recorded, and only L. Cuprina was found to be of forensic importance that can help in estimating PMSI, as they oviposit and subsequently completed their life cycles on the carcass. It has also been observed that altitude and seasonal variation affected the arrival time, oviposition, life cycles, stages of decomposition and consequently alters the estimation of PMSI significantly.
Forensic Entomology, Post-Mortem Interval, Post-Mortem Submersion Interval, Decomposition, Insect Succession
