Browsing by Subject "Forensic entomology"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    Formicidae (Hymenoptera) community in corpses at different altitudes in a semiarid wild environment in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula
    (Wiley, 2020-06-18) Pérez Marcos, María; López-Gallego, Elena; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel; Martínez-Ibáñez, Dolores; García, María Dolores; Zoología y Antropología Física
    The Formicidae are considered crucial components of the entomosarcosaprophagous fauna because they can delay the decomposition process, cause tissue postmortem damage and produce bloodstain patterns that may confuse investigations. Moreover, some studies suggest that the Formicidae can act as environmental and seasonal indicators. However, studies on this group on vertebrate carcasses are scarce, especially in the Iberian Peninsula and the southwest of Europe. Thus, comparative studies at different altitudes in a protected wild mountain area could provide useful information on its composition in such environmental conditions, their role as environmental indicators and their forensic implications. For this reason, the Formicidae sarcosaprophagous community was studied at three different altitudes, between 400 and 1,500 m, in a wild mountainous area in the southeast of Spain using a modified Schoenly trap, with two pitfall traps inside, baited with 5 kg piglets (Sus scrofa L.). This work illustrates an approach to the community of the Formicidae, as a representative of the sarcosaprophagous community in an altitudinal gradient, showing a great variability in its composition. Furthermore, when comparing our results with other studies carried out in the Iberian Peninsula, we are able to suggest certain species with a potential utility as geographic and environmental indicators. Thus, Iberoformica subrufa, Lasius brunneus, Lasius cinereus and Camponotus sylvaticus are species of special interest as they appeared in either one of the sampled areas or in the same region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Life cycle and biometric study of Hydrotaea capensis (Wiedemann, 1818) (Diptera, Muscidae), a species of forensic Interest
    (MDPI, 2022-06-09) Pérez-Marcos, María; García, María Dolores; López-Gallego, Elena; Ramírez-Soria, María José; Arnaldos Sanabria, María José; Zoología y Antropología Física
    One of the most important and perhaps most used applications of forensic entomology concerns the estimation of the minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI), defined as the time interval between death and the actual finding of a corpse. Some Diptera species are critical in these studies because they are the first ones capable of detecting and finding a corpse and are selectively attracted by its decomposing status. Thus, the knowledge of the micromorphology of their preimaginal stages and of their life cycles within a time frame constitutes solid indicators for estimating the minPMI. Hydrotaea capensis is a Muscidae of forensic interest usually considered as a late colonizer of corpses. It is widely distributed, living mainly in warm regions, and present in a wide variety of habitats. In this study, the H. capensis life cycle was studied at four constant temperatures, 18◦, 20◦, 25◦ and 30 ◦C, by recording the duration of its different developmental stages, including the length reached in each larval stage, as well as some biometric characteristics of the emerged adults. Significant differences were observed in the average time of development of most larval stages, with a longer duration at low temperatures, and in the length of each larval stage depending on the temperature, but, in this case, without a clear pattern. Moreover, significant differences were found in some alar features, pointing to them as a relevant indicator to be considered. The data provided will assist forensic entomologists to make more accurate minPMI estimations in cases where H. capensis is present.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Sarcophagidae adult. ID Workshop
    (2010-11-29) González-Mora, Dolores; Facultad de Biología; Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Temporal dynamic and key species of the sarcosaprophagous entomofauna in a Mediterranean natural environment
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de publicaciones, 2021) Pérez Marcos, María; García, Mª Dolores; López Gallego, Elena; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel
    Los insectos pueden detectar la presencia de un cadáver a gran distancia, colonizándolo rápidamente y siendo los primeros en explotar este recurso. La composición y dinámica de la comunidad, junto con su presencia en un lugar específico, son clave para su posterior aplicación forense. Por este motivo, se estudió la fauna entomosarcosaprófaga asociada a un cadáver en una zona montañosa de la provincia de Murcia (SE, España). Las especies Chrysomya albiceps, Calliphora vicina y C. vomitoria fueron las especies más valiosas como indicadores estacionales. Estas especies, junto con Dermestes frischii, Camponotus sylvaticus y la superfamilia Chalcidoidea, definen un patrón claro de colonización que varía según la estación del año. Finalmente, la especies Iberoformica subrufa pueden tener valor potencial como indicador de hábitat del área estudiada.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    The influence of altitude on the abundance and occurrence of species of the family Calliphoridae (Diptera) in corpses in a Mediterranean area
    (2024-03-15) Pérez-Marcos, María; Ruiz-Franco, Laura; García, María Dolores; López-Gallego, Elena; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel; Zoología y Antropología Física
    A carcass is defined as a temporary resource that can support high levels of diversity compared to other resources. The level of diversity often depends on the environmental conditions in which the corpse is found. Calliphoridae (Diptera) are the most important necrophagous insects used in forensic investigations because this family is common, widespread, abundant, and usually the first to colonize a corpse. However, understanding the processes responsible for variation in calliphorid species abundance and richness along gradients in ecology remains a key challenge. In this study, we analyzed the influence of altitude on the abundance and diversity of Calliphoridae species in corpses at three different altitudes (400, 900, and 1500 m a.s.l.) in a mountainous area of southeastern Spain. The results revealed a gradient of decreasing abundance with increasing altitude. An altitudinal substitution of species was observed, with Chrysomya albiceps being found at the lowest altitude and Calliphora vicina at the highest altitude. Seasonal variation was also noted, with Ch. albiceps being the dominant species in the warmer months and C. vicina being the dominant species in winter. Our results confirm the importance of Calliphorids as seasonal, altitudinal, and environmental indicators, given the wide distribution and abundance of this family. This information is of great interest on the interpretation of data in forensic practice.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    The paradigm of interdisciplinarity in forensic investigation. A case in Southeastern Spain
    (2020-11-19) García, María Dolores; Arnaldos Sanabria, María-Isabel; Lago, Vicente; Ramírez, Manuel; Ubero Pascal, Nicolás; Prieto, Joaquín; Presa, Juan José; Luna, Aurelio; Zoología y Antropología Física
    The paper presents the procedure followed to fully solve a forensic case which occurred in Southeastern Spain through the collaboration of specialists from different scientific areas belonging to two different government institutions, a public University and the Guardia Civil. Entomological evidence was required to estimate the PMI in order to settle the perimortem circumstances. Piophila megastigmata (Diptera: piophilidae) is reported for the first time from a forensic case in Spain, enhancing the interest of its presence in corpses to estimate the PMI. The procedure followed for each scientific specialist is detailed and the possibilities and requirements of each discipline are discussed in detail. Taking into account that institutional interdisciplinary collaboration is not a rule in solving cases of forensic investigation in Spain, the relevance and need of such interdisciplinary collaboration in solving cases of forensic investigation is emphasized.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Embargo
    The paradigm of interdisciplinarity in forensic investigation. A case in Southeastern Spain
    (Elsevier, 2020-11-19) García, María-Dolores; Arnaldos Sanabria, María Isabel; Lago, Vicente; Ramírez, Manuel; Ubero, Nicolás; Prieto, Joaquín; Presa, Juan-José; Luna, Aurelio; Zoología y Antropología Física
    The paper presents the procedure followed to fully solve a forensic case which occurred in Southeastern Spain through the collaboration of specialists from different scientific areas belonging to two different government institutions, a public University and the Guardia Civil. Entomological evidence was required to estimate the PMI in order to settle the perimortem circumstances. Piophila megastigmata (Diptera: Piophilidae) is reported for the first time from a forensic case in Spain, enhancing the interest of its presence in corpses to estimate the PMI. The procedure followed for each scientific specialist is detailed and the possibilities and requirements of each discipline are discussed in detail. Taking into account that institutional interdisciplinary collaboration is not a rule in solving cases of forensic investigation in Spain, the relevance and need of such interdisciplinary collaboration in solving cases of forensic investigation is emphasized.