Authors
Geetam Shukla, Ranjeet K. Singh
Abstract
Nowadays with access to various fast-moving vehicles as well as increasing tendency of people living alone whenever a crime involving death of a person occurs the bodies are found lying in remote areas after many days when the crime occurred in that case Post Mortem Interval is the most source for clue to get leads on the time line of crime. PMI i.e. Post-Mortem Interval also known as Time Since Death is most important enigma, which has always successfully bedazzled an investigator or a forensic pathologist to determine the correct sequence in which the crime took place. The dead body does not always follow a strict rule towards the different stages of decomposition in regards to the time interval. The temperature, mode of death, food ingested, BMI i.e. Body Mass Index and other environmental factors also influence, the stages observed at different times and often in such scenario forensic entomology is referenced but sometimes, it is not possible to find blow flies or maggots after certain time period. In present study, the main focus is on establishing the post mortem interval through succession of hister sp. and other ground beetles in not only at different stages of decomposition also in different habitats and environmental factors on carcasses found on surfaces but also from exhume bodies. Keywords: Beetles, Histeridae, Post-mortem interval, Body mass Index, Succession, Exhume bodies, Exhumation.
Introduction
Entomology is also known as ancient science which is the scientific study of insects and their relation to the humans, environment and the organisms, there has been a rapid growth observed in the development of this field during 19th and 20th Centuries. This field of insect’s study has also branched out in legal investigation crowned with the term Forensic Entomology. The most apparent use of forensic entomology is establishment of the time period since death, it is also useful in neglect cases. When investigation crime scenes or lawsuits involving mutually both the humans and wildlife, the succession of the carrion insects is an indispensable property or feature that can be referred to establish the time since death. Due to the inherent amphibious nature of some insects, they can also be used in the examination of a scene of crime both on land and in water. The mainstream of the cases where entomological approach has been sought for are those involving unlawful activities which take place on land can be exposed instantaneously with a devoted mind. Gaudry observed that 70% of corpses throughout the France were found outside and of these 60% were fewer than 1 month old by referencing to the life cycle of various insect species found on the carcasses.
Characteristics of Beetle
Beetles such as clown beetles which prey on the dipteran larvae have been established to be the next in line entomological clue in a corpse, which are in a progressive decomposition process and this versatility of the presence of different species of beetle on the corpses has gotten the approval of various scientific communities for the appraisal of minimum Post Mortem Intervals as emphasized. Interpretation of beetles at different stages of life is the very essence by which a forensic entomologist is qualified to say that, the beetles found on corpses explain a story. The family of beetle Carabidae are given due consideration as the foremost pillagers because of their part in food chain, changing aspects and pest control (Andrade et al., 457-463).
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| APA Style | Shukla, G (2018). Establishment of PMI through Succession or Presence of Beetle in Forensic Investigation. Academic Journal of Forensic Sciences, 01(02), 30-35. |
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