Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

Abstract

The use of insects as indicators of post-mortem displacement is discussed in many texts, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. Although the concept is widely cited, it is poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of biological aspects. Distribution, microhabitat, phenology, behavioral ecology, and molecular analysis are among the research areas associated with this topic. This article provides the first review of the current knowledge and addresses the potential and limitations of different methods to evaluate their applicability. This work reveals numerous weaknesses and erroneous beliefs as well as many possibilities and research opportunities.

The uses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in forensic entomology

“…Carrion insects can sometimes indicate the geographic origin of relocated corpses and products [ 166 ], but in practice this is uncommon [ 167 , 168 ]. Relevant data can be drawn from four primary sources: spatial distribution, temporal distribution, biology (behaviour and development) and molecular analyses; which of these will be significant in a particular case depends in part on the spatial scale of relocation [ 168 ].…”

“…Carrion insects can sometimes indicate the geographic origin of relocated corpses and products [ 166 ], but in practice this is uncommon [ 167 , 168 ]. Relevant data can be drawn from four primary sources: spatial distribution, temporal distribution, biology (behaviour and development) and molecular analyses; which of these will be significant in a particular case depends in part on the spatial scale of relocation [ 168 ]. Chrysomya megacephala is geographically and ecologically ubiquitous and highly mobile, active whenever weather and climate allow, and unspecialized in its general biology, so that it is unlikely to provide evidence of relocation from the first three sources listed; the most promising source is population genetics.…”

Predicting Geographic Distribution of Forensically Significant Blow Flies of Subfamily Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Northern Thailand

“…The species distribution modelling can identify the preference of a particular species in a certain locality. Therefore, it could be applied to verify the potential of corpse relocation in a forensic scenario [ 40 ]. Human remains are more likely to be moved from an open area to a forest habitat because it is more easily to be concealed.…”

The Application of Mitochondrial COI Gene-Based Molecular Identification of Forensically Important Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) in Korea

“…Necrophagous insect species are utilized as estimators of minimum postmortem intervals (mPMIs) in the medicolegal entomologic practice [ 1 – 4 ]. Various necrophagous dipteran species including those belonging to the families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae have been investigated based on their taxonomic characteristics and molecular barcoding [ 5 – 7 ].…”