Forensic Science International 127 (2002) 231236

Larder beetles (Coleoptera, Dermestidae) as an accelerating factor for decomposition of a human corpse
schel H. Schroeder, H. Klotzbach*, L. Oesterhelweg, K. Pu
Institute for Forensic Medicine, University of Hamburg, Butenfeld 34, D-22529 Hamburg, Germany Received 5 December 2001; received in revised form 8 April 2002; accepted 23 April 2002

Abstract Larder beetles are known to feed directly upon decomposing carrion, with a preference for dried carrion. Under optimal environmental conditions (dry and warm), they can appear in large numbers. In our case, the mummied corpse of a human male was nearly skeletonized in less than 5 months in his apartment with windows closed and a room temperature between 25 8C (near the radiator) and 19.4 8C (near the body). There were very few empty y pupae in the apartment, but a lot of adult hide beetles, their larvae and larval cast skins (exuviae) (Dermestes maculatus DEG.) belonging to the family of the larder beetles (Dermestidae). The beetles skeletonized the human corpse in such a short time because of ideal conditions for them in the apartment (dry and warm) making the body an optimal feeding ground because of his mummication. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Larder beetle; Hide beetle; Decomposition; Skeletonization; Human corpse

1. Introduction The succession of insects is commonly used for estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) [17]. Besides of collection of all developmental stages, consideration of the environmental factors is of great importance because environmental circumstances as humidity and temperature inuence the decomposition of a human body and the colonisation through insects [8]. In the matter of humid decay, y larvae use a human body for feeding in the rst place [9,10], because y larvae need humidity for their development [11]. In cases where mummication occurs, beetles frequently contribute to the decay of a human body, even inside human houses [1215]. Larder beetles (family Dermestidae) can be found as store pest in human environments [16] and in cases of mummication of a human corpse

indoors, they can accelerate the process of skeletonization [11,17].

2. Case history and ndings In late November, a 66-year-old former sailor who led a secluded life, was found dead in his armchair in the living room. The corpse was almost completely skeletonized (Fig. 1) with the bare skull lying beside him (Fig. 2a). The immediate estimate of post-mortem interval suggested that he had been dead for years because of the high degree of skeletonization. All windows inside the apartment were closed and the central heating was turned on to its highest degree. Temperature close to the radiator amounted to 25 8C, on the surface of the human corpse 19.4 8C. Near the window in the living room some dead adult ies were found (Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vicina and few Musca domestica, determined after [1820]). Further dead ies lay in the other rooms (L. sericata, Sarcophaga sp., determined after [21]). No living adult ies were detected.

* Corresponding author. Fax: 49-40-42803-3934. E-mail address: klotzbac@uke.uni-hamburg.de (H. Klotzbach).

0379-0738/02/$ see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 7 9 - 0 7 3 8 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 1 3 1 - 7

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Fig. 1. Original picture from the death scene: the corpse was found in his seat.

On the extremities and in the body cavities of the corpse, remnants of tissue, mostly dry pieces of corium, were found. Most of the subcutaneous tissue, muscular system and inner organs were transformed into horsehair-like dry, brownish bres. From the inner organs only small parts of the lung and the aorta were left. Metacarpal bones, larval cast skins and dark-brown, brous material were scattered beneath and around the corpse (Fig. 2b). The body was identied by old rib fractures and a former thoracotomy leaving wire traction of the sternum and metal clips in the chest cavity. No signs of violence against the osseous structures were observed; also the larynx and the hyoid bone were intact. All over the body, a lot of living adult hide beetles (Dermestes maculatus DEG., determined after [22]) and many of their larvae were scattered (Fig. 3). The pelvis contained numerous empty larval skins (Fig. 4a). On the skull and inside the right armpit lay small (3 mm) and larger (68 mm) empty pupae which were identied as pupae of Drosophilidae and Calliphoridae. Feeding defects of wavy shape with small round edges (typical for feeding of beetles) were detected on the remnant skin (Fig. 4a), and also supercial bony defects of the ribs, the acetabulum, the humerus (Fig. 4b) and the symphysis close to the cartilagous parts. Many bones had long grooves on their surface caused by larvae of beetles. The latter could be found mostly inside these grooves (Fig. 4b) which are typically larva-shaped (Fig. 5). Feeding defects caused by rodents or domestic animals as cats

or dogs could be excluded [23] due to the shape of the defects, the nding of the brous dark-brown material typical for feeding of beetles [17] and the absence of rats or mice faeces. The police investigation conrmed that the man was at last seen by several people in July. Consequently, he could not have been dead in his apartment longer than 5 months.

3. Discussion Larder beetles (Dermestidae) are store pest who feed on everything dry [24] such as hair, feathers, skin, dried beef and other materials [25]. A dry human corpse can also serve as a food resource for these beetles [11,17,26]. Male beetles excrete a pheromone to attract females. Female and male beetles react likewise on these pheromones, so there are many adult beetles on a corpse within very short time [24]. Females lay eggs and within a few days larvae hatch. Both adult beetles and larvae feed on the body. Larder beetles and their larvae have strong mouthparts which make it possible for them to gnaw even as hard material as bones. The brous horsehair-like, dark-brown material which covered the body, represents excrements of the beetles and their larvae. The same round edged bite marks as on the corpse at the cover of the armchair and the sofa indicated additional feeding of these insects using the furniture (see Fig. 2b). The strong mouthparts enable larder beetles and

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Fig. 2. (a) The bare skull and atlas lying beside the seat where the corpse was found. (b) Metacarpal and phalangeal bones, larva exuviae and brous material were scattered beneath and around the corpse.

their larvae to gnaw even the fatty and suety surface of bones. Larder beetles and their larvae are able to use a human corpse and leaving him just as skin and bones. The occurrence of only a few empty y pupae in the apartment indicated that the conditions for their development were limited. Due to the shape of their mouthparts (cephalopharyngeal skeleton is formed hook-like) y larvae can only feed soft materials and therefore need humidity for their development [10]. One can assume that the body mummied very fast in the dry and warm room with closed windows and the heating turned on. After a short

time, the human corpse was too dry for the necessities of the ies. On the other hand, the high number of larder beetles and the larval skins indicated rapid reproduction cycles. The numerous larder beetles and their larvae were able to skeletonize the human corpse within less then 5 months causing a corpse alteration which is assumed to last much longer without the beetles. A short note in a handbook about forensic entomology [27] could be found about beetles accelerating the decay of a human body to that degree within a rather short time. No details concerning the circumstances of that case are presented in that report. Some more authors

Fig. 3. Adult hide beetle (Coleoptera, Dermestidae: Dermestes maculatus DEG.).

Fig. 4. (a) Pelvis lled with larvae exuviae. (b) Larva in a typical larva-shaped feeding defect of the humerus.

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Fig. 5. Acetabulum with feeding defect and larva underneath.

mentioned larder beetles feeding on human corpses [1315]. In contrast, masses of y larvae decomposed a pig carrion within 96 h [11]. The conclusion is that insects are able to skeletonize a body in an unexpectedly short time under ideal environmental conditions concerning feeding and reproduction.

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