Presence of the parasite Brachymeria sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in the entomofauna of a corpse

Magni, P.A. and Jourdan, S. (2006) Presence of the parasite Brachymeria sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in the entomofauna of a corpse. In: 4th Meeting European Association for Forensic Entomology (EAFE), 26 - 29 April 2006, Bari, Italy

Abstract

The corpse of an old woman in advanced stage of decay was discovered in September in her home. Legal medical exams and forensic entomological evaluations were conducted upon recovery. The medical diagnosis ascertained death by natural causes, but it was impossible to determine the PMI due to changing phenomena. Entomological analysis identified the presence of typical carrion insects, used to determine the PMI in 19/21 days. The particularity of this case is the presence of the parasite Brachymeria sp. (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) as samples of dead adults and larvae in Lucilia sericata’s pupae: this parasite was also observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Later a church volunteer told investigators that she had seen the woman 20 days before the finding and further investigations in the home and about the woman’s life highlighted her habits of picking up dry leafs in city parks.

Item Type:	Conference Paper
Conference Website:	http://www.eafe.org/
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/57686

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