title: A Case of Insect Colonization Before the Death.
abstract: Forensic entomology is a branch of forensic science in which insects are used as evidence in legal investigations relating to humans, domestic animals and wildlife. One of the theoretical pillars on which the discipline is based concerns the fact that flies colonize a body after death. However in cases of myiasis, maggots are present before death, with consequences in the correct estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). We report here the case of a woman, largely colonized by fly larvae, who has lain alive in her garden for four days prior to being rescued. Larvae were found on the conjunctivae, the bronchi, the rectum and vagina. The woman's death, two months later, was caused by tetanus. The consequences of myiasis on mPMI estimation are here discussed. In fact, despite she was still alive larvae, indicated and estimated age of 1.5-2.5 days, based on environmental and body temperature.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, HD1 3DH, Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuromusculoskeletal and Sensory Organs, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonizzoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuromusculoskeletal and Sensory Organs, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Migliaccio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuromusculoskeletal and Sensory Organs, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura Tadini
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Buoninsegni
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Forensic Medicine Section, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bugelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Forensic Medicine Section, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pinchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Forensic Medicine Section, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focardi
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009198:Myiasis; D014474:Unconsciousness
keywords: Calliphoridae; Myiasis; PMI estimation; forensic entomology; forensic pathology; forensic science