Forensic case reports of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil.
J Forensic Leg Med
; 106: 102735, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39121688
ABSTRACT
Only a few cases describing the activity of dermestids on human corpses have been reported in the literature. Dermestes maculatus is a cosmopolitan beetle associated with carcasses at different decomposition stages, usually colonizing skeletonized and mummified remains. In this study, we presented two forensic case reports of D. maculatus associated with human corpses in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. In the first case, a human corpse in an advanced stage of decomposition was found hanged in an outdoor urban area. In the other one, a mummified cadaver was found inside of a closed house. In this last case, larvae of D. maculatus were essential to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMI) for the first time in Scientific Police of Santa Catarina. Our records highlight the significance of necrophagous beetles in ecological succession and in estimating PMI in cases involving human remains and corpses in advanced stage of decomposition.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Mudanças Depois da Morte
/
Besouros
/
Comportamento Alimentar
/
Entomologia Forense
/
Larva
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article