Long P.M.I. in an urban environment with particular focus on the presence of dermestes frass (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Magni, P.A., Gargallo, C., Bertoni, M., Giordano, A. and Mazzucco, P. (2010) Long P.M.I. in an urban environment with particular focus on the presence of dermestes frass (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). In: 8th Meeting European Association for Forensic Entomology (EAFE), 8 - 11 September 2010, Centro Social Universitario, Spain.

Abstract

Social isolation of elderly people is an actual problem in big cities such as Turin in north west Italy. Every year a number of wholly or partially skeletonised bodies are found in homes months or even years after death. They are often located randomly or because of curious neighbours. Post-mortem interval is a difficult diagnosis especially if the period is long. This is difficult in particular in a country where experimental studies on carrion fauna are not generally allowed or very difficult to organize and perform in terms of facilities and funds. The Forensic Entomology Lab of the Legal Medicine Department of the Italian Public Health Service (ASL TO1 EST) in the Turin City Morgue has the unique possibility of investigating the carrion fauna community on all decomposed corpses recovered in the city. Every year approximately 500 dead humans (natural, sudden and suspicious deaths) reach the morgue, of which 5% are colonized by insects. This study reports on the autopsies and analyses of necrophagous fauna on three individuals found skeletonised or mummified in their apartment in the city of Turin. The common denominators were a large carrion community and the presence of larder beetle frass (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The latter is fecal material wrapped in a protective membrane (peritrophic membrane). Dermestes are often found in dry and warm environmental conditions (like city apartments) feeding directly upon decomposing remains, with a preference for dry remains. The literature reports that dermestes frass can appear on a corpse between 1 month and 10 years after death. Case 1 – October; police officers entering the address of an old man in order to issue some notices. Forcing the door they found a completely skeletonised body. The apartment was located in a central zone of the city and was in a very dilapidated state. The most recent documents in the apartment were 18 months old. Insects and their remnants found on the copse and in the room were: Diptera Calliphoridae (Calliphora sp.), Sarcophagidae, Psychodidae (Psychoda sp.); Coleoptera Staphylinidae (Creophilus sp.), Cleridae (Necrobia sp.), Histeridae (Saprinus sp.), Dermestidae (Dermestes sp., Anthrenus sp.); Hymenoptera; Lepidoptera Tineidae; Aranea Theridiidae (Steatoda grossa, S. triangulosa). Case 2 – September; firemen broke the door open of an apartment in the centre of Turin based on a call by neighbours who smelt a bad odour. A skeletonised body was found lying on the floor. The apartment was in poor condition and a large number of newspapers were everywhere. The last newspaper was dated November of the previous year. Insects and their remnants found on the copse and in the room were: Diptera Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae; Coleoptera Dermestidae, Histeridae. Case 3 – May; a mummified body was found in an attic located in the centre of Turin. Paramedics and police were called by neighbours who had not seen the man since December of the previous year. Insects and their remnants found on the copse and in the room were: Diptera Calliphoridae (Lucilia sp.), Muscidae, Sarcophagidae; Coleoptera Dermestidae (Dermestes sp.), Cleridae.

Item Type:	Conference Item
Conference Website:	http://www.eafe.org/
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/57658

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