Human remains found in two wells: a forensic entomology perspective

Abstract

When estimating the time since death or manner of death, the identification and the pathological evaluations of a body are generally impeded by post mortem changes. Research and case studies help experts to achieve a more accurate diagnosis, but at present there is scant literature covering topics concerning forensic science and decompositional processes in aquatic environments. The two case studies presented each involve a decomposed body found in a unique aquatic environment; namely wells containing ground water. In Case 1 an entomologist attended the scene and in Case 2 an entomologist was only involved after 20 months when it was decided that the insect evidence collected at the second autopsy may be useful in determining a time frame. The first case highlights the problems associated with body retrieval from aquatic environments as the body was removed it dismembered. Fortunately, the well was able to be drained, so much of the insect evidence was retrieved. In the second case the body was found dismembered but the entomological evidence was overlooked and lost. During the second autopsy insects were found, collected, and sent to an entomologist to help clarify the post mortem interval.

Entomotoxicología Forense En Cadáveres En Estado De Descomposición

“…También cabe mencionar que a pesar de que se ha descrito el desarrollo y aplicación de la entomotoxicología en varios casos, la literatura relacionada con ambientes acuáticos es escasa (62).…”

Recovery of Missing Persons in Cyprus: Heavy Equipment Methods and Techniques for Complex Well Excavations

“…Magni et al. illustrate similar challenges in Italy as well as the ability of taphonomic variables in well environments to hinder the determination of postmortem interval and the great difficulty of body retrieval from wells. The unique taphonomic variables created by wells as well as factors such as commingling and the challenges of trauma interpretation create complex scenarios for forensic investigators .…”

Evaluation of barnacle (Crustacea: Cirripedia) colonisation on different fabrics to support the estimation of the time spent in water by human remains

“…As a consequence, the process might potentially involve the action of both aquatic and terrestrial organisms [8,9]. Unless the cadaver is protected in a vehicle or unable to float for other reasons, birds and terrestrial insects will impact it from above, while fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects will consume or colonise it from below the water surface [10,11]. At present, due to the sparsity of research on the role that intrinsic and extrinsic factors play in the human decomposition process in water, aquatic forensic cases are a difficult challenge when reconstructing criminal events.…”