International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

Transcription

1 Research Article Forensic Entomology International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences ISSN DIVERSITY, OCCURRENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF FORENSIC INSECTS ON DOG CANIS DOMESTICUS L. CARCASS FROM KOLHAPUR, INDIA. JADAV DIVYA K. AND *T.V. SATHE Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur India. ABSTRACT Kolhapur region, India is characterized by a very rich biodiversity since it receives 700mm-6000mm rainfall and contains several water bodies and forestry including Western Ghats, one of the hot spots of biodiversity conservation and protection. Insects play a very crucial role in forensic science for solving the problems related to murder, suicide, sexual molestation, child- neglect and abuse, etc. The hosts of forensic insects may be various vertebrates such as amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals including humans. Therefore, diversity of forensic insects on Canis domesticus L. carcasses from Kolhapur, India has been reported. A total of 11 species including flesh flies (2), blow flies (3) and beetles (6) have been found associated with the carcasses of dog in Kolhapur. The flesh flies and blow flies occurred on moist corpse, silphid beetles occurred on active decomposition stage and dermestids and clerids occurred on advanced stages of carcasses. The flesh flies developed from egg to adult within days while blow flies completed their life cycle within 7-19 days. The development time from egg to adult for beetles ranged from 8.5 to 18 days (table-2). KEY WORDS: Forensic insects, diversity, occurrence, development, dog, Kolhapur, India. T.V. SATHE Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur India. *Corresponding author B - 498

2 INTRODUCTION Forensic insects play a very crucial role in solving problems related to murder, suicide, sexual molestation, child- neglect and abuse 2. The environment, time of death of a person, road used and unknown place of dead bodies are detected by insects. Forensic insects develop on various vertebrates such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. The vertebrate carcasses were good source of food as they contain rich organic matter needed for development for many organisms, including insects. Insects in nature play a significant role in the decomposition of dead matter. The carrion insects such as Dipterans and Coleopterans are attracted to the cadaver in a relative predictable sequence called the entomofaunal succession or insect succession 18, 24, 31. This pattern of insect succession helps in post mortem interval (PMI) which further helps to solve murder mysteries. Knowledge about species involved in corpse or carrion decomposition and the association of insects have tremendous value in forensic science. Each decomposition stage of the carcass has specific insects association. Many insects are common on human body and other vertebrates for their development 28. Therefore, diversity of forensically important insects associated with dog carcasses have been studied. Review of literature indicates that Megnin 20, White et al. 42, Arutjunov 2, Leclercq 16, Nuorteva 21,22, Putman 23, Bayer et al. 3, Smith 35, Greenberg 10, Crosskey and Lane 7, Byrd &Castner 4, Grassberger and Friedrich 9, Amendt et al. [1], William and Villet 43,Sukontanson et al. [37], Sharma 32, Sathe and Jadav 27,30, Sathe et al. 28, Ghodake et al. 8, Jadav and Sathe 12, Rawat et al. 25, Sathe 26,29, etc. attempted studies related to forensic insects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Insects samples were collected from Kolhapur on carcasses of dog C. domesticlus accidently died on the roadways. The insects were collected with the help of insect net and anesthetized and killed in the laboratory with chloroform and pinned with the help of entomological pins. The pinned insects were sufficiently dried (60 C) in drying chamber. The pinned insects have been viewed for morphological studies for identification with the help of compound microscope and appropriate literature citied under references. A total of 3 sampling sites were selected, out of which one on highway, one on bushy area and one on plane ground where no vegetation was found. Life cycle was studied by noting the egg laying by insects on carcass and formation of larvae, pupae and adults. The occurrence of forensic insects was studied by spot observations during the day from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm at 6 hours frequency and noting time of development of individual insects on carcasses. RESULTS Results recorded in table 1 and 2 and figures 1-8 indicated that a total of 11species of forensic insects belonging to the orders Diptera (5) and Coleoptera(6) have been found associated with carcasses of C. domesticus at Kolhapur. Flesh flies (2) appeared very first on the dog carcass at a moist stage before 6 hours for egg laying, second arrived insects were blow flies (3), they occurred before 24 hours and beetles appeared at active stage and the advanced stages of decomposition of carcasses (Table- 1).They were found feeding on the muscles attached to the bones and most interior parts. The maggots of flies were related to feeding on muscles of superficial as well as various organs and interior part of the carcass. The flesh flies developed from egg to adult within days while blow flies completed their life cycle within 7-19 days. The developmental time from egg to adult for beetles ranged from 8.5 to 18 days (table-2). B - 499

3 Table 1 Diversity and occurrence of Forensic insects on C.domesticus carcass Sr. No. Insect species Families Sequence of occurance on carcass 1. Sarcophaga lineatocollis Macquart Sarcophagidae Occurred first(within 6 hours),fresh stage 2. Stomoxy scalcitrans Linnaeus Muscidae Occurred first(within 6 hours),fresh stage 3. Chrysomya rufifacies Macquart Calliphoridae Occurred second(after 24 hours),bloated stage 4. Lucilia sericata Meigen Calliphoridae Occurred on(after 24 hours),bloated stage 5. Calliphora vicina Robineau- Desvoidy Calliphoridae Occurred second(after 24 hours),bloated stage 6. Necrophila rufithorax Selys Silphidae Occurred at bloated stage, after 2-3 days 7. Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) Dermestidae Occurred at decay and dry stage 8. Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius) Cleridae Occurred after 2-3 days 9. Creophilus sp. Staphilinidae Occurred after 3-4 days 10 Hister sp. Histeridae Occurred after 3-4 days 11 Saprinus sp. Histeridae Occurred after 3-4 days Table 2 Development of flies and beetles on C. domesticus carcass Sr. No. Species Duration (In days) 1 S. lineatocollis S. calcitrans C. rufifacies L. sericata C. vicina N. rufithorax 15 7 Hister sp D. maculatus 18 9 N.rufipes DISCUSSION Vasconcelos et al. 41 provided first check-list of forensically important dipteran species in a rainforest environment in North eastern Brazil, a region exposed to high rates of homicides. They used a decomposing pig Sus scrofa L. (Artiodacetyla :Suidae) carcass as a model and adult flies were collected immediately after death in the early stages of carcass decomposition. To confirm actual colonization of the carcass, insects that completed their larval development on the resource were also collected and reared until the adult stage. They noted 28 species of seven families of order Diptera with necrophagus habits within few minutes after death. Out of 28 species, 11 have completed their larval development on carcass. The majority of individuals emerged from larvae collected at the dry stage of decomposition. Hemilucilia segmentaria Fab.(Calliphoridae), H. semidiaphana (Rondani) and Ophyra chalcoguster (Wied.) (Muscidae) were the dominant species among the colonizers. During the six months sampled, a total of 3,262 flies were collected from the ten collection sites. The surveys in Muang Ubon Ratchathani and Warinchamrap districts yielded a total of 2,257 and 1,005 flies, respectively. The dominant species captured was the blow fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), which ranked first in prevalence at all the collection sites, followed by Musca domestica L. 6.Recently, Sathe et al. 28 recorded a total of 25 species of dipterous forensic insects from Kolhapur region, India. Similarly, Sathe and Jadav 27 studied the diversity and occurrence of Sarcophagids and reported 16 species from Kolhapur District, India. Dipterous flies play an important role in decomposing the carcasses 8, 27. Different species of Calliphorids have adopted to different feeding habits over the years for their survival and broadly divided as saprophages, facultative parasites like C. megacephala and Lucilia sericata Meigen and obligate parasites causing myiasis in man and other animals like Chrysomya bezziana (Villeneuve). They were also adapted to various ecological niches 36.According to Shiravi et al. 33 the developmental rates in Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedmann) and L. sericata were highly different in terms of B - 500

4 accumulation of degree days required than that of the flesh fly Sarcophaga sp. They reported that the speed of development in the flesh fly was slower than blowflies. At 28ºC the total developmental time from egg to adult was days in Sarcophaga sp. while, Jadav and Sathe 12 reported days and 7-19 days for the development of flesh flies and blow flies respectively. According to Hall and Doisy 11 the amount of time after death affected the structure of the assemblage of insects attracted to a carcass, a feature that will have direct implications on the accuracy of the biological information available to the forensic entomologist.the time and arrival of insect colonies can be estimated in dead body 10. Insect life cycle begins within minutes of death which act as precise clock. The growth of insect larvae that feed upon the victim and the succession of carrion arthropod species found in body are helpful for minimum and maximum estimates of post mortem mechanisms in medical- forensic science. According to Kashyap and Pillai 13 forensic entomology is highly accurate from 72 hours after death. Coleopterans were second decomposers and became most important forensic indicators during later stages of decomposition of carcass on dog.besides ecological importance in decomposition, the forensic insects particularly blowflies represent an important tool in criminal investigations serving as a biological clock in measuring the time since death for weeks or even for months. The necrophagus species and their predators and parasites were the important insects to be attracted to the body immediately after death even within minutes 35.According to Lord and Burger 17 forensic insect specimens should be treated as physical evidence like blood- strains, hair, finger prints or any other biological material. All the insect specimens of different shape and size and from everywhere on and around the corpse should be preserved in vials containing % ethanol so that their morphological and molecular identification is made easy. 32 According to Sharma forensic insects provide very useful information not only in a death investigation including time since death, season of death, geographical location of death, movement or storage of the remains after death, time of decapitation or dismemberment, submersion interval, use of damage but even more in linking a suspect to the scene of crime, in child neglect and sexual molestations or identification of suspects. Although there is a specificity of certain forensic insects with the host species, many forensic insects are common on majority of the vertebrate carcasses. Therefore, the present work would be the base line data for forensic insects probably associated with even human beings.as like dipterous flies, coleopterous beetles also play an important role in decomposition of carcasses. They appear on the active and advanced stages of decomposition 28. Putman 23 studied the important coleopteran species associated with carcasses as second decomposers which refer to Dermestes maculates (De Geer) (Dermestidae), Oxyletrum disciolle (Zett) (Silphidae), Necrobia rufipes (Fabricius) (Cleridae), Trox sp. (Troxidae) and Hister sp. (Histeridae). These species used carcasses simply for their life cycle, food and shelter. The adults and larvae of coleopterans were dominated and responsible for maximum consumption of terrestrial carrion.szymon et al. 39 recorded insect succession and pig carrion decomposition in pine, hornbean oak forests and alder forest in Western Poland at the end of summer and beginning of fall, They noted 5 stages of decomposition namely, fresh, bloated, active decay, advanced decay and remains stage.zahid et 44 al. studied the coleopterous species associated with C. domesticus cadaver in tropical region of Mavdan, Pakistan. They collected D. maculates, Hister sp, Trox sp. and N. rufipes. Hister sp. adults and larvae dominated the later stages of decomposition. The temperature (28.3± ± 1.7) was found to affect coleopteran adults, larvae and rate of decomposition of C. domesticus during the observation period.the highest decomposition rate was observed in the alder forest than in the pine oak forest. Similarity, in carrion fauna was found in each forest. The beetles recorded from both of the forests were hairy rove beetles, Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus) (Silphidae), Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus) (Staphylinidae), rove beetles, Oxypoda acuminate (Stephens) (Staphylinidae), Omalium rivulare (Paykull) (Staphylinidae) and Philonthus sp. (Stephen) (Staphylinidae).Forensic insect identification based on genetic examination such as DNA B - 501

5 analysis is an option. DNA of human blood can be successfully extracted from carrion blood feeding insect specimen collected from a crime scene which might have fed on the cadaver. The presence of DNA of suspect within the insects at a known location within a definable period of time may establish a link between the victim and the crime. A case has been reported where the DNA recovered from the crime scene matched to that of murder suspect 38.Carvalho et al. 5 studied insect succession on carcasses in Brazil. They reported 3 species belonging to 3 families i.e. D. maculates and O. disciolle (Brullé), were belonging to families of Dermestidae and Silphidae, respectively and N. rufipes to family Cleridae. The adults and larvae of D. maculates were dominated in later stages of decomposition.within minutes of death, forensic insects were able to locate the dead body through the sense of smell 25.Flies, mainly flesh flies and blow flies arrived first at the decomposing corpse. The female fly deposited eggs (Calliphorid flies) or larvae (Sarcophagid flies) on open wound or natural orifices, such as nose, mouth and anus of the corpse. These larvae then fed on the decaying corpse. Other insects such as beetles, ants, moths and butterflies arrived later and decomposed the corpse 25.According to Rawat et al. 25 flies (Diptera) were often first on the scene. They preferred a moist corpse for the maggots to feed on, as such a corpse was easier for them to chew. The most important insects and families were: blow flies (Calliphoridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), house flies (Muscidae), cheese flies (Piophilidae), coffin flies (Phoridae), lesser corpse flies (Sphaeroceridae), lesser house flies ( Fanniidae), black scavenger flies (Sepsidae), sun flies (Heleomyzidae) and black soldier fly (Stratiomyidae).These mostly break down fatty and proteinaceous part of the dead body. Various liposases, proteases and peptidases found in their saliva were mostly responsible for decomposition. Beetles (Coleoptera) were generally found on the corpse when it was more decomposed. In drier conditions, the beetles were replaced by moth flies (Psychodidae). Rove beetles (Staphylinidae), hister beetles (Histeridae), carrion beetles (Silphidae), ham beetles (Cleridae), carcass beetles (Trogidae), skin/hide beetles (Dermestidae) were important in the final stages of decomposition of a carcass.hide beetles were the only beetle with the enzymes necessary for breaking down keratin, a protein component of hair. According to Rawat et al. 25 many mites were also fed on a corpse. Macrochele mites were common in the early stages of decomposition, while, Tyroglyphidae and Oribatidae mites (Rostrozetes) fed on dry skin in the later stages of decomposition. Necrophorus beetles carried on their bodies the mite Poecilo chirus which fed on fly eggs. Clothes-moths (Tineidae) were feeding on mammalian hair during their larval stages and may forage on any hair that remains. They were amongst the final animals contributing to the decomposition of a corpse.in general, it is concluded that the forensic insects play very important role in judicial matter by providing evidences with their presence and such evidences should be considered as valid proof. However, the forensic entomology is still under developed in several countries including India. The present work will add great relevance in understanding forensic entomology of Kolhapur region, India. Figure 1 C.domesticus carcass B - 502

6 Figure 2 Sarcophaga sp Figure3 Sarcophagamaggot Figure 4 Chrysomya sp Figure 5 Saprinus sp. Adult B - 503

7 Figure 6 Saprinus sp. Larva Figure 7 Necrophila rufithorax Figure8 Creophilus sp ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Authors are thankful to Shivaji University, Kolhapur for providing facilities. REFERENCES 1. Amendt, J., Krettek, R. and Zehner, R. Forensic Entomology. Naturwissenschaften., 91:51-65, (2004). 2. Arutjunov, A. M. The use of entomological data in a forensic medicine examination.sud. Med. Ekspert.,6: 51-52, (1963). B - 504

8 3. Beyer, J. C., Enos, Y. F. and Stajic, M. Drug identification through analysis of maggots. Journal of Forensic Sciences., 26: , (1980). 4. Byrd, J.H., Castner, J.L. The utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Florida. Forensic Entomology Ed. 2: , (2001). 5. Carvalho, L.M., Thyssen, P.J. and Linhares, A.X. A checklist of arthropods associated with pig carrion and human corpses in Southeastern Brazil.MemInstOswaldo Cruz Rio de Janeiro.,95 (1): , (2000). 6. Chaiwong,T.,Srivoramas T., Sukontason K., Michelle R. Sanford, Moophayak Kittikhun, and Sukontason L. Kabkaew.Survey of the Synanthropic Flies Associated with Human Habitations in Ubon Ratchathani Province of Northeast Thailand. Journal of parasitol Res., 201, 2:613132, (2012). 7. Crosskey, R. W. and Lane, R. P.Ed. House flies, blow flies and their allies (Calyptrate Diptera). In: Lane RP, Crosskey R.W (eds). Medical insects and arachnids. Chapman and Hall, London, , (1993). 8. Ghodake, D., Pawale, D.and Sathe, T. V. Forensic Entomology solves the mysteries. Indian Journal of Forensic medicine and toxicology. 8 (2): 12-15, (2014). 9. Grassberger, M. and Friedrich, E. The blow fly Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedmann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae as a new forensic indicator in central Europe. Int.J.Legal Med., 117:75-81, (2003). 10. Greenberg, B. Flies as forensic indicators. Medical Entomology., 28: , (1991). 11. Hall, R.D. and Doisy, K.E. Length of time after death: effect on attraction and oviposition or larviposition of midsummer blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of medicolegal importance in Missouri. Ann.ent. Soc. Am., 86: , (1993). 12. Jadav, D. K. and Sathe, T. V. Altitudinal diversity of forensic blowflies (Diptera : Calliphoridae) of Western Ghats (Maharastra).Journal of Forensic Research,5(6): 1-4, (2014). 13. Kashyap,V.K. and Pillai, V.V. Efficacy of entomological method in estimation of postmortem interval: a comparative analysis. Forensic Sci. Int., 40(3): , (1989). 14. Kimberly, L.T., Richard, D.F. and Carlyle, C.B. Insect fauna visiting carrion in Southwest Virginia. Forensic Sci. Int.,150 (1):73-80, (2005). 15. Kurahashi, H and Chowanadisai, L. Blow flies (Insecta: Diptera: Calliphoridae) from Indochina. Species Diversity., 6(3): , (2001). 16. Leclercq, M. Entomological parasitology: The relations between entomology and the medical sciences. Oxford, Pergamon press, 159, (1969). 17. Lord, W. D. and Burget, J. F. Collection and preservation of forensically important entomological materials. J. Forensic.Sci; 28: , (1983). 18. Marchenko, M. I. Medicolegal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of the time since death. Acta Medicinae Legalis at Sociali.s, 38: , (1988). 19. Marchenko, M. I. Medicolegal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of the time since death. Forensic Sci Int., 120:89-109, (2001). 20. Megnin, P. La Faune des Cadavers. Encyclopedie Scientifiques des Aide Memoire. Masson, Gauthier- Villars et Fils: Paris. (1894). 21. Nuorteva, P. Age determination of a blood stain in a decaying shirt by entomological means. Forensic sci., 3: 89-94, (1974). 22. Nuorteva, P. Sarcosaphrophages insects as forensic indicators. In: Forensic Medecine, ed. C.G Tedeschi, W.G. Eckert and L.G. Tedeschi, 2: , (1977). 23. Putman, R. J. Dynamics of the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala within carrion. Animal Ecology, 46: , (1977). 24. Putman, R. J. Carrion and Dung. The decomposition of animal wastes. London: Edward Arnold, 1-29, (1983). 25. Rawat, S., Sonker, R. and Singh, K. Forensic insects facilitate ecological recycling. International Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research., 2(1): , (2014). B - 505

9 26. Sathe, T. V.Ecology of mosquitoes from Kolhapur district, India. Int. J. Pharm. Bio. Sci. 2(4); (B): , (2011). 27. Sathe, T. V. Ecology, Epidemiology and control of sand flies from Kolhapur region, India.Int. J. Pharm. Bio. Sci.,5(4); (B): , (2014). 28. Sathe, T. V. and Jadav, D. Sarcophagid fauna (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Kolhapur district. J. Adv. Zool., 34(2): 85-87, (2013). 29. Sathe, T. V. and Jadav, D. Ecology and control of eyeflies Siphunculina spp. (Chloropidae: Diptera). Int. J. Pharm. Bio. and Sci.,5 (4), (B): , (2014). 30. Sathe, T. V., Sathe, Asawari.and Sathe N. T Diversity of Dipterous forensic insects from Western Maharastra, India. Int. J. Pharm. Bio.Sci., 4(2): , (2013). 31. Schoenly, K. and Reid, W. Dynamics of heterotrophic succession in carrion arthropod assemblages: discrete series or continnum of change? Oceologia., 73: , (1987). 32. Sharma,B. R. Forensic entomology: A supplement to forensic death investigation.jpafmat 8(1): 26 33, (2008). 33. Shiravi, A.H., Mostafavi, R., Akbarzadeh, K. and Oshaghi, M.A. Temperature requirements of some cocoons of forensically important blow and flesh flies (Diptera) under laboratory conditions. Iran J. Arthropod-Borne Dis., 5(1):54-62, (2011). 34. Singh, J. and Sharma, B.R. Forensic Entomology: A supplement to Forensic death investigation. JPAFMAT., 8(1): 26-33, (2008). 35. Smith, K. G. V. A manual of forensic entomology. British Museum of Natural History, Cornell University Press, London Ithaca, 1-205, (1986). 36. Stevens, J. and Wall, R. The evolution of ectoparasitism in genus Lucilia (Diptera : Calliphoridae). Int. J. Parasitol., 27: 51-59, (1997). 37. Suckontason et al. Forensic entomology cases in Tailand: a review of cases hom Parasitol Res., 101: , (2007). 38. Sumodan, P. K. Insect detectives. Resonance: P Viewed at : http//: resonance/aug 2002 html. (2002). 39. Szymon, M, Bajerlein, D, Konwerskic, S and Szpilad, K. An initial study of insect succession and carrion decomposition in various forest habitats of Central Europe. Forensic Sci. Int., 180(2-3): 61-69, (2008). 40. Tumrasvin, W., Sucharit, S. and Kano, R. Studies on medically important flies in Thailand. IV. Altitudinal distribution of flies belonging to Muscidae and Calliphoridae in Doi Indhanondh Mountain, Chiengmai, in early summer season. Bulletin of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 25(2):77 81, (1978). 41. Vasconcelos, S.D., Cruz, T.M., Salgado, R.L. and Thyssen, P.J. Dipterans associated with a decomposing animal carcass in a rainforest fragment in Brazil. Notes on the early arrival and colonization by necrophagous species. J. Insect Sci., 13, (145): 1-11, (2012). 42. White, S.R., Aubertin, D. and Smart, J.The fauna of British India including the remainder of the Oriental region. Taylor and Francis, Ltd., London 1-288, (1940). 43. Williams, K. A. and Villet, M. H. A History of Southern African research relevant to forensic entomology. South African J. sci.,102: 59 65, (2006). 44. Zahid, M., Ali, P. A., Shah, M., Sthanader, Kausar, A. A., Ahmad, A., Khalid, S. and Mehmood, T. Coleoptera species associated with dog (Canis domesticus L.) Cadever in tropical region of Mardan, Pakistan. International Journal of Bioscience, 3(8): , (2013). B - 506