Modification of postmortem wounds by Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) activity: A preliminary study.
The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the effects of insect activity on hacking trauma which was inflicted with a small cleaver and a razor blade under controlled conditions. Three pig hooves were each subjected to a blow with a small cleaver and a cut with a razor blade prior to insect exposure. We used Dermestes maculatus DeGeer 1774 species. These beetles made principally depressions and destruction on both wounds, and bites were observed on the edges of the wounds. As time passed and insects fed and refuge, chop marks were deformed and disappeared, taking this less than a month. Thus, D. maculatus could mask postmortem wounds and probably premortem wounds, and so the cause of death.
Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Departamento de Ciencia y Técnica, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal 1876, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Invertebrados II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca 8000, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: nzanetti@yahoo.com.ar.
Noelia I
NI
Zanetti
Cátedra de Invertebrados II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca 8000, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: aferrero@uns.edu.ar.
Adriana A
AA
Ferrero
Laboratorio de Entomología Aplicada y Forense, Departamento de Ciencia y Técnica, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, Bernal 1876, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: ncenteno@unq.edu.ar.
Néstor D
ND
Centeno
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D023421:Models, Animal; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013552:Swine; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology*
Dermestes maculatus; Forensic entomology; Forensic taphonomy; Postmortem artifacts