Postmortem interval estimation based on Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera, Calliphoridae) in a forensic case in the Andean Amazon, Caquetá, Colombia

Abstract

This is the first application of forensic entomology in a case involving a human corpse found in the urban area of the Municipality of Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, in the Piedemont of the Colombian Amazon. Three days after removing the body from the scene, pupae and puparia were collected and identified as Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae). The postmortem interval was estimated on the basis of previously published data and verified through accumulated degree hours (ADH) and intrapuparial development. The estimated minimum postmortem interval was of 229 hours (9.5 days).

Gamasina Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) Associated with Animal Remains in the Mediterranean Region of Navarra (Northern Spain)

“…The location is relatively isolated with limited human disturbances or problems related to bad odors, yet it is not far from a major road. As such, this area shares similar characteristics to places where cadavers are likely to be found [24,25,26].…”

Efeitos do extrato aquoso de Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa sobre o desenvolvimento de larvas de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Calliphoridae: Diptera)

“…Chrysomya albiceps (cm) na estimativa do IPM em procedimentos criminais (INTRONA et al, 2001;WOLF et al, 2006;ESTRADA et al, 2009;RAMOS-PASTANA;WOLFF, 2017).…”

Altitudinal Distribution of Calliphoridae (Diptera: Insecta) on the Eastern Slope of the Eastern Mountain Range in the Andean Amazon, Colombia

“…The biology of the blowflies is diverse, with several synanthropic species living in a high degree of association with human settlements (Shewell, 1992). Due to their eating habits, mainly carrion, they play a key ecological role as carrion decomposers, used in the determination of the Postmortem Interval (PMI) (Ramos-Pastrana & Wolff, 2017;Ramos-Pastrana, Virgüez-Díaz & Wolff, 2018). These flies make up a large part of the cadaverous fauna and in addition to PMI dating, they provide evidence about the place of death and postmortem circumstances that can be used as fundamental information related to legal cases such as cases of abuse and neglect of children and the elderly (Arnaldos, Prado, López-Gallego & García et al, 2006;Ramos-Pastrana & Wolff, 2017), as well as in cases involving traffic accidents, origin or geographical origin of narcotic drugs and deaths caused by drug use and poisoning (Anderson & Sherah, 1996).…”

“…In Neotropical countries, such as in Brazil (Barros-Souza et al, 2012) and Colombia (Martínez et al, 2007), studies on Calliphoridae have focused mainly on cadaver decomposition rates and associated fauna. Few studies have been published on the Calliphoridae family in the Andean Amazon lowlands or high-altitude areas (Ramos-Pastrana et al, 2014, 2019; there is only one study involving human bodies (Ramos-Pastrana & Wolff, 2017). The main objective of this study was to identify the species of Calliphoridae that occur on the eastern slope of the Eastern Mountain Range of the Andean Amazon, analyzing their altitudinal distribution, abundance, richness, and diversity patterns.…”