A mathematical model applied for assisting the estimation of PMI in a case of forensic importance. First record of Conicera similis (Diptera: Phoridae) in a corpse.

We present a forensic case associated with skeletonized human remains found inside a cistern in a coastal town located in the eastern Iberian Peninsula (Valencian Regional Government, Spain). In order to analyse the particular environmental conditions that occurred during oviposition and development of the collected insects, estimated temperatures at the crime scene were calculated by a predictive mathematical model. This model analyses the correlation between the variability of the internal temperature depending on the variability of the external ones. The amplitude of the temperature oscillations inside the tank and the containment of the enclosure is reduced by the presence of water. Such variation occurred within about 2h due to the time required for heat exchange. The differential equations employed to model differences between outdoor and indoor temperatures were an essential tool which let us estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) that was carried out by the study of the insect succession and the development time of the collected Diptera specimens under the adjusted temperatures. The presence of live larvae and pupae of Sarcophagidae and empty pupae of Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, Phoridae and Piophilidae and the decomposition stage suggested the possibility that the remains were in the tank at least a year. We highlight the absence of Calliphora and Lucilia spp., and the first occurrence of the phorid Conicera similis in a human cadaver among the entomological evidence.

Larval morphology, development and forensic importance of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) in Europe: a rare species or just overlooked?

The muscid Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) is a species with forensic importance in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This fly has recently been introduced into southern Europe and, until now, had not been recorded in forensic cases in this region. Here, morphology of all larval instars of S. nudiseta is documented in detail by using a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy. Literature data concerning larval morphology are revised and characters allowing identification from other forensically important Muscidae are listed. The life cycle of this species was studied at four constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. Total development varied between 46.50 ± 0.97 days at 15 °C and 15.39 ± 0.32 days at 30 °C. Moreover, we report this species breeding in human corpses, for the first time in Europe, in forensic cases from autopsies at the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Madrid and the Institute of Legal Medicine of Alicante, Spain.

Determinación del intervalo postmortem mediante el estudio de la sucesión de insectos en dos cadáveres hallados en el interior de una finca rústica en Madrid / Assessment of post-mortem interval through the study of the insect succession in two corpses found indoors in a country house in Madrid

En este artículo se presenta un caso estudiado en el Laboratorio de Entomología Forense de la Sección de Antropología de la Comisaría General de Policía Científica (Cuerpo Nacional de Policía). En él, se analizaron muestras entomológicas recogidas en dos cadáveres durante la práctica de la Inspección Ocular Técnico Policial, llevada a cabo en la localidad de Fuenlabrada, sita en la zona Sur de Madrid (España, Región Paleártica). Los dos cadáveres, en avanzado estado de descomposición, fueron encontrados en el interior de una finca rústica en invierno del año 2001. Las evidencias de interés forense recogidas consistieron en dípteros de las Familias Calliphoridae, Muscidae y Phoridae y Coleoptera de las Familias Cleridae, Dermestidae e Histeridae. Además, arácnidos que permitieron afirmar la compatibilidad de los especímenes con el entorno. La sucesión de los insectos recogidos permitió estimar el intervalo post-mortem en un año (AU)

In this paper, it is reported a case which was studied in the Forensic Entomology Laboratory belonging to the Anthropology Section from the General Department of the Scientific Police (Spanish National Police). We analysed entomological evidences collected during death scene investigation performed in Fuenlabrada, south of Madrid administrative region (Spain, Paleartic Region). Both corpses, in advanced decomposition stage, were found indoors in a country house in winter 2001. Samples collected consisted of Diptera identified as Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Phoridae Families; Coleoptera corresponding to Cleridae, Dermestidae and Histeridae ones. Furthermore, spiders which allowed us to confirm the compatibility with the place where carcasses were found. The study of the insect succession allowed the estimation of post-mortem interval in one year (AU)

[Bacteriology and resistance in ambulatory urinary infections]. / Bacteriología y resistencias en las infecciones urinarias ambulatorias.

OBJECTIVES: To discover the bacteriological profile of urinary tract infections (UTI) in our out-clinic environment and their resistance to the most common antibiotics. DESIGN: A descriptive, retrospective study. SETTING: Ciudad Real Health Area (300,000 inhabitants). PARTICIPANTS: All the urine samples from the out-clinics referred to the microbiology lab for possible UTI in 1994 were included. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 3,522 cultures were studied, of which 241 were contaminated (7%), 2,870 negative (81%) and 409 positive (12%). Breakdown of bacteria: E. coli (248; 60%), enterococci (38; 9%), P. mirabilis (25; 6%), K. pneumoniae (20; 5%), S. epidermidis (11;3%), S. saprophyticus (8; 2%) and 61 others (15%). We found high sensitivity in the Gram-negatives to cephuroxim and amoxicillin-clavulanic. We observed widespread resistance, especially by E. coli, to quinolones, pipemidic acid and nitrofurantoin. CONCLUSIONS: E. coli is the micro-organism which most often causes UTI in our environment. We found enterococci were isolated more and S. saprophyticus less than in the series consulted. We found a considerable increase in resistance to some antibiotics often used in out-clinics for UTI treatment.