Contemporary Precision, Bias and Accuracy of Minimum Post-Mortem Intervals Estimated Using Development of Carrion-Feeding Insects

Effect of temperature on development of the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

“…Each feeding container was composed of 50g of catering-grade chicken liver in a 125-ml Styrofoam cup placed in a container with washed sand approximately 3.0-3.5 cm deep in which larvae could pupate and covered with mesh to confine larvae and exclude parasitoids. The stocking density (0.4 larvae/g) minimized the accumulation of maggot-generated heat [21] that might have stimulated growth [1][2][3][4] and avoided stunted growth associated with isolation of larvae [22]. Fifteen cups were prepared in this manner for each temperature.…”

“…The most ecologically and forensically important arthropods associated with decomposing vertebrates are flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera), which can usually be used to estimate the time of death or post-mortem interval (PMI) of an associated corpse or carcass, especially when the usual postmortem indicators such as livor mortis and rigor mortis are no longer meaningful [1][2][3][4][5]. The minimum postmortem interval (PMI min ) is estimated from the age of necrophagous insects that could not have been present before the body died [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…The minimum postmortem interval (PMI min ) is estimated from the age of necrophagous insects that could not have been present before the body died [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The earliest time at which the carcass or corpse was exposed to insects and, thus, the latest time of environmental exposure can be estimated by investigating larval development at several constant temperatures [1][2][3][4].…”

“…The minimum postmortem interval (PMI min ) is estimated from the age of necrophagous insects that could not have been present before the body died [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The earliest time at which the carcass or corpse was exposed to insects and, thus, the latest time of environmental exposure can be estimated by investigating larval development at several constant temperatures [1][2][3][4]. The effects of temperature on blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development rate have been studied extensively [4], most notably in the genera Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, and Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830.…”

“…The earliest time at which the carcass or corpse was exposed to insects and, thus, the latest time of environmental exposure can be estimated by investigating larval development at several constant temperatures [1][2][3][4]. The effects of temperature on blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development rate have been studied extensively [4], most notably in the genera Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Chrysomya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, and Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. An optimal temperature range for most species has been identified to be between 20 and 30°C, with development and survival being compromised at temperatures outside this range [7,8].…”