Iris Publishers-Open Access Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine | The Effect of Suitcase Concealment on Insect
Colonization: A Pilot Study in Western Australia
Authored by Paola A Magni
Decomposition is a complex and continuous process that involves the
breakdown of soft tissues following a death event. This
is often mediated by the action of micro- and macro-fauna, especially
necrophagous insects belonging to the Orders Diptera and
Coleoptera. Access to the cadaver is a major prerequisite for
decomposition to proceed. However, a cadaver maybe concealed to
avoid an easy discovery by the authorities. The present field study
investigated the decomposition process of a carcass placed in
a suitcase in Western Australia. A total of six pig carcasses (Sus scrofa L.)
were used as a substitute for human cadavers. Five pigs
were singularly placed in identical zip suitcases made of fabric and a
sixth pig being fully exposed (control pig). As expected, the
study showed that the rate of decomposition differed between the control
pig and concealed pigs. The rate of decomposition of
the control pig followed the typical pattern, in terms of stages of
decomposition, and revealed the insect species involved in the
process. Pigs inside the suitcases exhibited the characteristics of wet
decomposition. This occurred despite no significant differences
between the ambient temperature and the temperature inside the
suitcases. However, the relative humidity inside of the suitcases
was found to be statistically different and the pattern of insect
succession varied between the concealed carcasses and the control
pig. Carcass attendance by blow flies at the control occurred within
minutes of positioning, and oviposition occurred within the first
day. In contrast, blow flies were not observed visiting the suitcases
until the next day, with oviposition on the external part of the
suitcases not recorded until day 9 and inside the suitcases after day 14.
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