Occurrences of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on human cadavers in Switzerland, and their importance as forensic indicators

TY - JOUR

T1 - Occurrences of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on human cadavers in Switzerland, and their importance as forensic indicators

AU - Cherix, Daniel

AU - Wyss, Claude

AU - Pape, Thomas

PY - 2012/7/10

Y1 - 2012/7/10

N2 - From 1993 to 2008, criminal investigations were conducted in the western part of Switzerland with special attention to blowfly and flesh fly species in order to estimate the post-mortem interval when requested by the police authorities. Flesh flies were found in only 33 cases out of 160. Five species of the genus . Sarcophaga were identified (. S. africa, . S. argyrostoma, . S. caerulescens, . S. similis and . S. sp.). The main species found on corpses (larval stage) was . S. argyrostoma. The thermal constant (. K) calculated for this species in Switzerland is 380.6. ±. 16.3 (mean. ±. S.D.) degree-days. With the exception of . S. caerulescens, found three times in the larval stage on corpses, the three other species are of minor forensic importance. . S. argyrostoma is found during summer and indoors. This species colonises dead bodies, usually the same day as blowfly species, and it could be used to estimate the post-mortem interval. Other species are discussed in the light of current knowledge on their biology and ecology. It is recommended that voucher material be deposited in a museum, allowing further studies by relevant specialists, thereby helping investigators and avoiding misidentifications.

AB - From 1993 to 2008, criminal investigations were conducted in the western part of Switzerland with special attention to blowfly and flesh fly species in order to estimate the post-mortem interval when requested by the police authorities. Flesh flies were found in only 33 cases out of 160. Five species of the genus . Sarcophaga were identified (. S. africa, . S. argyrostoma, . S. caerulescens, . S. similis and . S. sp.). The main species found on corpses (larval stage) was . S. argyrostoma. The thermal constant (. K) calculated for this species in Switzerland is 380.6. ±. 16.3 (mean. ±. S.D.) degree-days. With the exception of . S. caerulescens, found three times in the larval stage on corpses, the three other species are of minor forensic importance. . S. argyrostoma is found during summer and indoors. This species colonises dead bodies, usually the same day as blowfly species, and it could be used to estimate the post-mortem interval. Other species are discussed in the light of current knowledge on their biology and ecology. It is recommended that voucher material be deposited in a museum, allowing further studies by relevant specialists, thereby helping investigators and avoiding misidentifications.

U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.02.016

DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.02.016

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0379-0738

VL - 220

SP - 158

EP - 163

JO - Forensic Science International

JF - Forensic Science International

IS - 1-3

ER -