Use of Aquatic Insects in Determining Submersion Interval

Haskell, Neal H.; McShaffrey, D.; Hawley, Dean A.; Williams, Ralph E.; Pless, John E.

doi:10.1520/jfs12682j

Cited by 60 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Terrestrial carrion, for example, undergoes a predictable sequence of mass loss and invertebrate colonisation over time (Hanski, 1987; Haskell et al ., 1989), which can be influenced by conditions associated with different biomes, such as grassland versus woodland (Hanski, 1987). Although obligate necrophagous invertebrate taxa have evolved only on land where carrion supply is frequent and predictable (Hanski, 1987; Haskell et al ., 1989), invertebrates are important processors of marine as well as terrestrial carrion (Britton & Morton, 1994). Freshwater invertebrates are generally important agents in the breakdown of organic material, nutrient cycling and energy flow within food webs (Cummins, 1973), and can be abundant on carrion in freshwaters (Vance, Van Dyk & Rowley, 1995; Keiper, Chapman & Foote, 1997; Kline et al ., 1997; Minakawa & Gara, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south‐eastern Alaskan streams

2002

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1. We examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) carcass decomposition (mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation) in south‐eastern Alaskan streams. Dry mass and macroinvertebrate fauna of carcasses placed in streams were measured every two weeks over two months in six artificial streams and once after six weeks in four natural streams. We also surveyed the macroinvertebrate fauna and wet mass of naturally occurring salmon carcasses. 2. Carcass mass loss in artificial streams was initially rapid and then declined over time (k=–0.033 day–1), and no significant differences were found among natural streams. 3. Several macroinvertebrate taxa colonised carcasses, but chironomid midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) and Zapada (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) larvae were found consistently and were the most abundant (on average 95 and 2%, respectively, of the invertebrates found). Chironomid abundance and biomass increased over time, whereas Zapada abundance and biomass did not. Significant differences in abundance were found among natural streams for Baetis (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) and Sweltsa (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae) larvae, while no significant differences were found for chironomid and Zapada abundance or biomass. 4. Our results suggest that salmon carcasses initially undergo a high rate of mass loss that tapers off with time. Chironomid and Zapada larvae are likely to be important in mediating nutrient and energy transfer between salmon carcasses and other components of the freshwater‐riparian food web in south‐eastern Alaskan streams.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south‐eastern Alaskan streams

2002

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“…Adult lies were caught by using sweep net. Some of the ly larvae were collected using forceps and put into ethyl alcohol 70% for preservation [31]. The specimens were processed for storage and kept as record in the Entomology Unit of Institute of Medical Research (IMR).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Cement and wrapping on the Decomposition rate of the Rabbit Carcasses

Lai¹,

See²,

Ahmad³

et al. 2017

J Forensic Sci Res

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Taphonomic study was fi rst time conducted in Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia. In this research model, male Oryctolagus cunicullus weighed 1.8-2.6 kg each were killed by Dolethal intravenously at the ear region. In Phase 1 study, eight subjects were wrapped in a sack and cemented within a container to be compared with the other four controls at each location labelled A (ground) and B (manmade freshwater pond). Phase 2 involved duplicating set of 15 cemented samples comparable to 1 control made up to total of 32 subjects which were all put into a compact polytank containing freshwater to simulate a case study. Taphonomic changes were observed and scored using TBS system incorporating of fresh stage, early decomposition stage, advanced decomposition stage and skeletonisation stage. The ambient temperature of surroundings with 28.81C±4.21°C and 29.21°C±4.57°C (mean±S.D.) while relative humidity of air with 74.49 %±14.61% and 79.15%±16.32% (mean±S.D.) were recorded for Phase 1 and Phase 2 study respectively. Time taken for ground control exposed and wrapped carcasses to reach fi rst sign of skeletonised stage were four days and fi ve days respectively. Whilst freshwater controls reached initial skeletonised stage within one week for exposed carcass and two weeks for wrapped carcass. Within the control and cemented sample carcasses, TBS scores increased from initial stages of decomposition and become plateau after advanced decomposition. The cementing factor have superseded the wrapping factor due to its stronger physical barrier effect to slow down the decomposition more than half compared to controls based on Multiple way ANOVA test. Phase 2 study has demonstrated more accurately on the decomposition rate of the cemented samples. It showed that wrapping and cementing factors have delayed the decomposition process of the rabbit carcasses about 4 times to reach the initial stage of skeletonisation compared to the control carcasses. There was absence of insect activity within the cemented samples, hence the microorganism activity would be the only contributor to the decaying process within the cemented samples at slower rate comparing to the exposed or wrapped controls.

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“…Adult flies were caught by using sweep net. Some of the fly larvae were collected using forceps and put into ethyl alcohol 70% for preservation [15]. The specimens were processed for storage and kept as record in the Forensic Science Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and The National University of Malaysia.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taphonomic Study of Adult Susscrofa domestica in Equatorial Climate in Sarawak, Malaysia

Soon¹

2017

Austin J Forensic Sci Criminol

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Taphonomic study is first time conducted in Sarawak, Malaysia. In this research model, two adults female Susscrofa domestica weighed 77 kg each are killed by machete at the heart region. Then, the bodies are put clothes made of pure cotton on to mimic the real human body with clothes. Pure cotton clothes is a favourite for Malaysia's population due to hot and humid climate. Later on, the bodies are being placed in the separate location labelled A and B in jungle. Taphonomic changes is obeserved. All stages of decomposition like fresh stage, bloated stage, active decay stage, advanced decay stage and remains stage are observed and documented. Daily observation on both the bodies is conducted. The ambient temperature of surroundings, internal temperature of bodies, temperature of larvae mass, body surface temperature, soil surface temperature and humidity of air are recorded daily. Time for each stage of decomposition is determined. During the decomposition process, insects and larvae appeared in each stage of decomposition process are collected and preserved for reference. Photos and videos are taken for each subject throughout the research. The hot and humid climate in Sarawak accelerates the decomposition process. The time taken for both bodies to reach remains stage is nine days. Both the cotton clothes are still preserved by the end of research. As a conclusion, an equatorial climate is accelerating the decomposition process of body in Sarawak, Malaysia.

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Use of Aquatic Insects in Determining Submersion Interval

Cited by 60 publications

References 26 publications

Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south‐eastern Alaskan streams

Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south‐eastern Alaskan streams

The Effect of Cement and wrapping on the Decomposition rate of the Rabbit Carcasses

Taphonomic Study of Adult Susscrofa domestica in Equatorial Climate in Sarawak, Malaysia

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