title: Estimation of postmortem interval based on colony development time for Anoplolepsis longipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
abstract: The postmortem interval for a set of human remains discovered inside a metal tool box was estimated using the development time required for a stratiomyid fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Hermetia illucens, in combination with the time required to establish a colony of the ant Anoplolepsis longipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) capable of producing alate (winged) reproductives. This analysis resulted in a postmortem interval estimate of 14 + months, with a period of 14-18 months being the most probable time interval. The victim had been missing for approximately 18 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Win
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000254:growth & development*; D004175:Diptera / Q000254:growth & development; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013997:Time Factors