A review of necrophagous insects colonising human and animal cadavers in south-east Queensland, Australia. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farrell, Julianne F.; Whittington, Andrew E.; Zalucki, Myron P.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 257(2015)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Forensic entomology -- Post-mortem -- Diptera -- Insect colonisation -- Human cadavers -- Queensland; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Thirty-two species of necrophagous insects were collected from human remains. Most species were common to human and non-human vertebrate remains. The best forensic indicator species for Queensland are likely to be Chrysomya spp. Abstract: A review of insects collected from decomposing human remains in south-east Queensland yielded 32 species in three orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera) and 11 families (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Phoridae, Sepsidae, Chironomidae, Dermestidae, Cleridae, Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Encyrtidae). There were 15 cases where remains were located indoors and five cases where remains were outdoors, in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Coleoptera were strongly associated with outdoors remains, while dipteran species composition was similar in both indoor and outdoor habitats. Some Diptera were only associated with indoors remains, while others were similarly restricted to remains recovered outdoors. Hymenopteran parasitoids were active in both habitats. Comparative collections were made from other vertebrate remains, including road-kill and farmed animals throughout south-east Queensland (Qld) and northern New South Wales (NSW) during the same period.