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Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17

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Forensic Science International


journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint

Case Report

Forensic entomology of decomposing humans and their decomposing


pets
Michelle R. Sanford *
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, 1885 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054, USA

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: Domestic pets are commonly found in the homes of decedents whose deaths are investigated by a
Received 25 September 2014 medical examiner or coroner. When these pets become trapped with a decomposing decedent they may
Received in revised form 11 November 2014 resort to feeding on the body or succumb to starvation and/or dehydration and begin to decompose as
Accepted 27 November 2014
well. In this case report photographic documentation of cases involving pets and decedents were
Available online 9 December 2014
examined from 2009 through the beginning of 2014. This photo review indicated that in many cases
the pets were cats and dogs that were trapped with the decedent, died and were discovered in a
Keywords:
moderate (bloat to active decay) state of decomposition. In addition three cases involving decomposing
Decomposition
Companion animals
humans and their decomposing pets are described as they were processed for time of insect colonization
Insect colonization by forensic entomological approach. Differences in timing and species colonizing the human and animal
Indoor scene bodies were noted as was the potential for the human or animal derived specimens to contaminate one
another at the scene.
2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction and especially in forensic entomology studies (e.g. [1012]). The


domestic pig (Sus scrofa) has been evaluated as a surrogate for
Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association human decomposition in forensic entomology research [13,14];
show that 36.5% of households own at least one dog and 30.4% of however the ability of other domestic animals to approximate
households own at least one cat in the United States [1]. Thus pets insect colonization and succession of human bodies is unknown.
being found with a decedent during the course of routine death The co-occurrence of decomposing animals and their owners
investigations are not surprising. Scene investigations of unat- provides a unique opportunity to examine the similarities and
tended deaths occurring inside locked residences comprise a large differences in insect colonization and the potential for contamina-
portion of the routine death investigations handled by a medical tion between the two sets of remains located in the same vicinity.
examiners ofce. At these types of scenes, pets may be trapped In this case review, the prevalence of dead pets at indoor death
inside with the decedent for extended periods of time. scene investigations was examined and a detailed description is
Pets live with and depend on their human caretakers for their presented of three cases where entomological evidence was
basic needs. When their caretaker dies, pets, particular dogs and cats, collected from both the decedent and their decomposing pet(s) at
will resort to survival by whatever means possible. Cats and dogs the scene. A description of each scene, the insect species collected
will feed on a corpse, presumably because of a lack of food [26]. and an estimate for the time of colonization (TOC) by insects of
However, pets may also be found alive and near the body with no the decedent and the pet(s) are provided. The similarities and
evidence that they had attempted to feed or disturb the body. In the differences between the decedent and the pet are discussed in
absence of other factors such as chemicals, carbon monoxide terms of approximating a minimum postmortem interval (PMIMIN)
poisoning or intentional killing of the pet, without access to food and for the decedent.
water, it is only a matter of time before the pet also dies.
The process of decomposition for pets follows a similar, if not 2. Materials and methods
the same progression in animals as it does for humans. Animal
models are regularly used in decomposition research (e.g. [79]) 2.1. Case review

The presence of pets encountered during indoor scene


* Tel.: +1 713 796 6740; fax: +1 713 796 6842. investigations, dead or alive, is often recorded with scene
E-mail address: michelle.sanford@ifs.hctx.net photography. Therefore scene photographs were examined from

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.11.029
0379-0738/ 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
e12 M.R. Sanford / Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17

cases involving decomposed decedents investigated by the Harris The three cases that included forensic entomology analysis of
County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) from 2009 through evidence associated with the decedent and the pet were from
the rst half of 2014. The photo collection for this time period 2013 and 2014. These were selected based on the fact that the
includes scene photo collections for over 15,000 cases. The forensic entomologist attended the scene and collected insect
statistics regarding whether these scenes were indoors versus specimens and data from both the decedent and any decom-
outdoors is not a part of the ofcially recorded statistical data, posing pet or pets at the scene. Formal forensic entomology
however based on the entomological casework from the previous reports were generated for these three cases as well. Entomo-
year the number of indoor scenes with insects was approximately logical collection, processing and analysis were conducted as per
60% of these cases. Of course not all of the decedents were the HCIFS Standard Operating Procedures for Forensic Entomol-
decomposed, thus the selection of decomposed scene investigation ogy. This includes collection of representative specimens at the
photos to examine was based on the appearance of the decedent in scene with preservation by hot water kill [15] followed by
their morgue check-in photo. This resulted in 35 cases where either placement in 70% ethanol and rearing of a portion of each sample
dead pets were observed or animal feeding activity on the body collected from the body (and each pet body). Larval specimens
was observed. Details of these cases are provided in Table 1. were reared on defrosted beef liver at room temperature until
Decomposition staging is subjective and for the purposes of this adult emergence. The resulting adult specimens were used to
discussion it has been broadly classied into ve stages: (1) Fresh conrm identication of specimens. Adult male Sarcophagidae
no decomposition; (2) Early skin slippage and marbling present; were prepared for examination of the male genitalia using the
(3) Moderate bloating with possible widespread insect activity; technique described by Dahlem and Naczi [16]. Preserved and
(4) Advanced decomposition has progressed to the point of bone reared adult specimens for each case are stored at the HCIFS for a
exposure; and (5) Skeletal little tissue is remaining and the period of ve years following a case, before being released to
body is skeletonized. In the description of each case in this review, a university teaching collection per the current Standard
these classications have been associated with a published Operating Procedures. Development data was used for each
decomposition study to facilitate comparison to previous litera- case that was appropriate to the species and estimated
ture. Basic statistical data were calculated using Microsoft Excel development temperatures experienced by the developing
(ver. 2007, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, USA). larvae at each scene.

Table 1
HCIFS cases from 2009 through the rst half of 2014 involving decomposing decedents, pets and animal activity (based on scene photograph examination). The stage of
decomposition, manner of death and location of animal feeding activity are also provided. Decomposition stages: Early skin slippage and marbling; Moderate bloat and
active decay; Advanced some amount of bone showing. The three cases discussed in the case review were not included in this table.

# Year Decedent stage Manner Pet type # of dead Animal Type of Activity location
of decomp. of death pets activity activity

1 2009 Moderate Natural Dog 1 No n/a n/a


2 2009 Moderate Natural Bird 2 No n/a n/a
3 2009 Moderate Natural Cat 2 No n/a n/a
4 2009 Moderate Natural n/a 0 Yes Unknown Right arm, left hand
5 2009 Moderate Natural Dog 0 Yes Canine Both feet, right thigh
6 2009 Moderate Natural Dog 0 (+1 alive) Yes Canine Chest, abdomen
7 2010 Advanced Undetermined Bird, cat 11, 1 Yes Canine Head, arms
8 2010 Earlymoderate Natural Non-pet rat 1 No n/a n/a
9 2010 Advanced Undetermined Dog 0 (+2 alive) Yes Canine Face, upper left arm, chest,
Abdomen, right hand
10 2010 Moderate Suicide n/a 0 Yes Rodent Face, inner thighs,
nger tips
11 2011 Moderate Natural Dog 1 (+1 alive) No n/a n/a
12 2011 Early Natural Dog 1 (+1 alive) No n/a n/a
13 2011 Moderate Suicide Cat 2 No n/a n/a
14 2011 Moderate Natural n/a 0 Yes Unknown Back of left hand
15 2011 Moderate Natural Dog 0 (+3 alive) Yes Canine Left side of face,
lower right arm
16 2011 Moderate Natural Dog 0 (+1 alive) Yes Canine Right arm
17 2011 Moderate Natural Unknown 0 Yes Unknown Upper left abdomen
18 2012 Moderate Suicide Dog 1a No n/a n/a
19 2012 Moderate Undetermined Dog, cat 2, 1 No n/a n/a
20 2012 Moderate Natural Cat 1 (+3 alive) No n/a n/a
21 2012 Moderate Natural Non-pet rat 1 (+ live dog) No n/a n/a
22 2012 Advanced Natural Unknown 0 Yes Rodent Nose, ngers, toes, genitals
23 2012 Moderate Natural Dog 0 (+1 alive) Yes Canine Back of right leg
24 2012 Moderate Natural Dog, cat 0 (+1, 1 alive) Yes Canine Toes
25 2012 Early Natural Dog 0 (+1 alive) Yes Canine Top of right foot
26 2012 Moderate Accident Non-pet rat 0 Yes Rodent Right side of face
27 2012 Moderateadvanced Natural Dog 0 Yes Canine Both feet, both arms, nipples
28 2012 Moderate Accident Dog 0 (+1 alive) Yes Canine Top of right foot, ngers
29 2013 Earlymoderate Accident Dog 1 No n/a n/a
30 2013 Earlymoderate Natural Non-pet rat 2 No n/a n/a
31 2013 Moderate Natural Bird 1 No n/a n/a
32 2013 Early Suicide Cat 1a No n/a n/a
33 2013 Advanced Natural Cat Unknown Yes Feline Face, upper chest,
(30+ alive) left arm, right foot
34 2013 Moderate Natural Non-pet rat 0 Yes Rodent Toes
35 2014 Moderateadvanced Natural Dog 1 No n/a n/a
a
Pet was intentionally killed.
M.R. Sanford / Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17 e13

3. Results through an interior hallway door, and the decedent was found after
failing to pay rent for the current month. The female decedent was
3.1. Photographic case review found lying supine, mostly nude, wearing only a bra and vest
jacket, on the carpeted oor of her bedroom. The temperature in
Table 1 displays the details of cases involving decomposing the apartment was recorded as 21.0 8C at the time of scene
decedents and their pets and is based on scene photography by investigation (rst responders had opened the bedroom window
HCIFS investigators from 2009 through the rst half of 2014. The prior to medical examiner investigator arrival at the scene and the
35 cases detailed in Table 1 do not include the three cases outdoor temperature was cooler at this time). The thermostat in
investigated by a forensic entomologist, which are described in the the apartment was set to 22.9 8C. The decedent was in a moderate
following sections. The most commonly encountered stage of state of decomposition (similar to the decay stage of: [10,17])
decomposition was moderate (moderate in this instance is most with large numbers of scuttle y pupae, Megaselia scalaris Loew
similar to the active and decay stages of [10,17]) (65.7%) and the (Diptera: Phoridae) [18], adhered to the top of the body and legs, as
most common manner of death for these decedents was natural the skin in these areas had started to dry. Large numbers (100s) of
(71.4%). In two of the three, suicides involving decomposing small M. scalaris pupae including empty pupal cases were also
decedents and pets, the pets were intentionally killed, presumably adhered to the carpet and debris on top of the carpet. Larger dark
by the decedent prior to their own death. The average number of brown pupae were observed in the carpet near the decedent which
cases involving decomposing decedents and their pets was seven were identied as esh ies, Sarcophagidae. Small larvae were
per year with a maximum of eleven and a minimum of four based observed on the decedents face, which were later identied as M.
on the cases examined via scene photography. The dead pets scalaris. Third instar Sarcophagidae were also observed under the
consisted mainly of dogs, cats and birds but non-pet rats were also decedents head and upper back where the skin had remained
involved in several of the cases that involved feeding on the body moist and soft. The 3rd instar Sarcophagidae were also observed in
(described as animal activity in Table 1). Multiple locations were the carpet under the upper back where purge uids had collected.
observed for where the animals had fed upon the body including Specimens reared in the laboratory were identied as Blaesoxipha
the extremities, face, torso, genitals and abdomen. plinthopyga (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) based on the
appearance of prepared adult male genitalia [19,20].
3.1.1. Case #1 Two dead cats were in different locations in the apartment
The scene consisted of a multi-bedroom apartment located on (Fig. 1A and C). The insects and life stages collected from both cats
the second oor of a four-story apartment building in Houston, TX, were the same as those identied from the decedent: intact
USA. The decedent was last known alive approximately one month M. scalaris pupae [18] and B. plinthopyga pupae (identied through
prior to discovery of her remains. The apartment was accessible rearing of adults) and 3rd instar larvae except that there were no

Fig. 1. Case #1: Two decomposing cats were found with the decedent in the apartment. The white cat (A and B) was found in the same bedroom as the decedent. (A) The white
cat prior to movement, the pupae in the carpet cannot be excluded as originating from the decedent. (B) The white cat after being turned over. Small brown scuttle y pupae
(Phoridae: Megaselia scalaris) and large esh y pupae (Sarcophagidae: Blaesoxipha plinthopyga) were identied from the white cat in the bedroom. The gray cat (C and D) was
found in the bathroom next to the closed toilet. (C) The gray cat prior to movement. (D) The gray cat after being turned over. Small brown scuttle y pupae (Phoridae:
Megaselia scalaris) and large esh y larvae (Sarcophagidae: Blaesoxipha plinthopyga) can be observed around and under the head of the gray cat.
e14 M.R. Sanford / Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17

empty M. scalaris exuvia associated with the cat bodies. The white complication associated with colonization of animal tissue and
cat was located in a corner of the decedents bedroom with that is how well it is approximated by development data intended
the decedents body (Fig. 1A and B) approximately 23 m away. to approximate human tissue.
The similarity of the developmental stage for the larvae and the
close proximity of the white cats body to the decedent, make it 3.1.2. Case #2
impossible to separate the Sarcophagidae pupae that had The scene consisted of a multi-bedroom single family house
developed on the white cat from those that had developed on located in Tomball, TX, USA. The decedent was last known alive on
the decedent (Fig. 1B). The gray cat (Fig. 1C and D) was located in 27 February when he was seen by paramedics. This date was ten
the adjacent bathroom but separated from the decedent by a much days prior to his discovery on 11 March during a welfare check by
larger distance (approximately 56 m). This cat was located next to law enforcement. At the time of scene investigation the electricity
the toilet which had the lid closed. No source of water for the cats had been shut-off to the home and there was evidence that a space
was observed but dry cat food was observed in the apartment as heater had been in use but the air conditioning/heating system was
well as abundant cat feces. not operational and had not been operating for an unknown period
The TOC estimate generated for the decedent was based on the of time. The thermostat was switched to off but indicated an
indoor thermostat set temperature and the expected development inside temperature of 26 8C and was assumed to be running on
time required by M. scalaris through completion of the pupa/ the backup battery and ambient temperature recorded at the scene
emergence of the adult y [21]. The empty pupal exuvia was 25.8 8C. The male decedent was found in a moderate to
represented the oldest life stage collected from the decedent advanced state of decomposition (similar to the decay and dry
which has available development data. There is only one known stages of [10,17]) sitting on the oor of his bathroom with his back
development data set for B. plinthopyga [22]. However, it includes against the sink vanity. He was clothed in a t-shirt and jeans with
the entire development time from larva to adult whereas pupae his chin resting on his chest and a large number of M. scalaris pupae
and 3rd instars were collected at the scene. Therefore using the [18] and empty pupal exuvia adhered to his chest, head hair and
accumulated degree hours (ADH) method [23] and the published drier areas of the jeans. These M. scalaris pupae and exuvia [18]
development data for M. scalaris reared at 22.0 8C and base 10.0 8C were also adhered to the bathroom oor, the vanity, door frame,
through y emergence suggests an estimated ADH of 6324 [21]. the carpet at the opening to the bathroom and clothing piled just
Based on these data the estimated TOC for the decedent was the outside the bathroom door. Large dark brown y pupae and
morning of 19 October. This was consistent with the newspapers wandering 3rd instar larvae were observed under the clothing
found outside the apartment door dated 7 and 8 November, a piled outside the bathroom door. These larger y larvae were
shopping receipt located inside the apartment dated 11 October identied as Sarcophagidae [26]. Specimens reared in the
and the last outgoing phone call on the decedents cell phone on 16 laboratory were identied as B. plinthopyga [19,20].
October. A large dog (30 kg), consistent in appearance to a Rottweiler,
The TOC for the cats is later than that estimated for the was found decomposing in a backroom to the house. Whether the
decedent. The presence of pupal Sarcophagidae underneath and dog had access to the rest of the house or it had been sealed in this
adjacent to the white cat suggest completion of larval development backroom was not clear. A pan was overturned in the center of
however, it is not possible separate these pupae as being from the room and what appeared to be feces were smeared throughout
larvae that fed upon the decedent. No pupal Sarcophagidae were the tile oor (Fig. 2A and B). The room adjacent to the backroom
found with the gray cat in the bathroom. Therefore the presence of containing the dog body had a large bag of dog food present. While
pupal M. scalaris on both cats was used to calculate the TOC there was water to the residence, no open water sources were
estimate for the cats. The TOC for the cats was estimated to be the observed in the house; even the toilet next to the decedent had
morning of 2 November. been stuffed with rugs and towels. The insects collected from the
The limitations associated with the estimation of TOC for the dog consisted of pupal M. scalaris [18] from the dogs head and neck
cats are the same as those for the decedent estimate of TOC. These and wandering 3rd instar Calliphora sp. (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
include sources of uncertainty related to the temperature variation and Sarcophagidae. Laboratory rearing of these wandering 3rd
in the apartment and the use of M. scalaris development data instars identied Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) [27] and
from a population that is not local to Houston, TX. Variation in B. plinthopyga [19,20].
developmental response to temperature by different populations The TOC estimate for the decedent was complicated by the
of the same species has been documented at both large [24] and unknown period without electricity and unknown temperature
regional geographic scales [25]. However there is an additional modication in the house. Therefore a temperature range was used

Fig. 2. Decomposing dog found in the back room of a residence also containing a decomposing human. (A) The room where the dog was found was in the back of the residence
which had a tile oor that appeared to be covered in feces. (B) The decomposing dog was found against a wall of the room where wandering 3rd instar larvae were observed to
be moving away from the dog along the baseboard.
M.R. Sanford / Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17 e15

to estimate the TOC with an assumed constant hypothetical indoor remaining tissue under the head and on the arms, groin and
temperature of 25.0 8C used as one end of the temperature range abdomen and with pupae surrounding the decedent on the bed, on
and the temperatures recorded at the nearest weather station as the oor and in the blankets near the body. The y larvae were
the other end of the temperature range (mean temperature: identied as 3rd instar Sarcophagidae, black blow y, Phormia
11.8  7.6 8C standard deviation during the potential insect develop- regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and dump y Hydrotea sp.
ment period). Estimation of the TOC was based on the ADH method (Diptera: Muscidae) [26]. Pupal specimens were also identied as
[23] and the published development data for M. scalaris reared at Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. Newly emergent adult P. regina
27.0 8C and base 10.0 8C through y emergence suggests an estimated were also observed next to the decedents head and reared
ADH of 3828 [28]. Based on these data the estimated TOC for the specimens conrmed the identication of P. regina [27]. Adult ies
decedent was estimated as 20 December based on the constant were also abundant in the windows of the residence and adult P.
25.0 8C hypothetical indoor temperature or 1 March based on the regina [27] were collected from the window near the front door.
hourly weather station temperatures, using this wide temperature A decomposing cat body was found in a front room located on
range. As the last known alive date for the decedent was only ten days the opposite side of the house as the decedents body (Fig. 3A and
prior to the discovery of the body it suggests that the TOC was likely B). The cats body was surrounded by trash and cat feces (Fig. 3B).
ten days prior and that the temperatures inside the residence were a Adult ies were observed in the cats mouth and on the fur.
source of uncertainty in the estimate. Maggots were observed in the cats mouth which were collected
The location of the dog body in the backroom of the residence and identied as 3rd instar P. regina [26] as well as 1st and 2nd
may have resulted in the temperatures being closer to those instar blow ies (Calliphoridae) that were reared in the morgue
recorded at the nearest weather station. The estimated TOC for the laboratory to the adult stage and identied as P. regina [27]. There
dog was based on the published development data for C. vicina did not appear to be any water source available to the cat but bags
reared at 20.6 8C at base 10.0 8C to the wandering prepupal stage of cat food were observed in the house and one of these bags
(ADH: 3425.93369.7; [29]). These data suggest a TOC between 14 appeared to be torn open.
February (hypothetical indoor temperature) and 2 March (weather The TOC for the decedent was based on the assumed indoor
station temperature) which is later than that estimated for the temperature, as controlled by the thermostat, the temperature
decedent but which is also complicated by uncertainties in data recorded at the nearest weather station and published
temperature approximation in the residence. development data for P. regina [30]. The calculation of ADH was
based the completion of the development for P. regina at a base
3.1.3. Case #3 temperature of 0.0 8C and a rearing temperature of 14.0 8C
This scene consisted of a multi-bedroom two-story single (10,365.311,490.7 DH) for the ADH calculation with weather
family residence located in Houston, TX, USA. This house had been station data and 20.5 8C (7983.98357.5 DH) for the ADH
in foreclosure and was in a signicant state of disrepair with calculation with the assumed indoor temperature [30]. This
hoarding of trash, cat feces and personal items throughout the rst provided a range of TOC estimates for the decedent as between
oor. The second oor was only partially lled with items and trash morning of 1 February and the afternoon of 8 February using the
but was unsafe to walk upon. While there was electricity to the weather station data and using the assumed indoor temperature
house there did not appear to be running water. A large number of data, colonization may have occurred between the evening of 25
empty water bottles comprised part of the hoard and full water February and the afternoon of 26 February.
bottles were observed near the decedent and in a case next to the The TOC for the cat was calculated using the same temperature
front door. The thermostat to the residence was not located due to range and development data for P. regina [30] through completion
the condition of the rooms but vents for an air conditioning system, of the 2nd instar of development. The required ADH for this stage of
replacement lters and a comfortable indoor temperature of development is 2747.93316.1 DH at 14.0 8C and 7632.52268.5
22.1 8C were observed at the time of scene investigation. DH at 20.5 8C and would have been reached if the eggs had been
The female decedent was found lying on her side, with her head laid on the cats body between the afternoon of 1 March and the
and shoulders hanging off of her bed in an advanced state of afternoon of 2 March. Using the assumed indoor temperature,
decomposition with bone exposure (similar to the dry stage of colonization may have occurred between the morning of 9 March
decomposition of [10,17]) on 13 March. The decedent was last and the afternoon of 10 March. The TOC for the cat was estimated
known to be alive on 7 February. She was clothed in a tank top and to be much more recent than that for the decedent depending
underwear with her left arm wrapped up in a blanket from the bed. on the temperatures used to calculate the estimate. It is also
There was extensive insect activity consisting of larvae on the inuenced by the same limitations that generate uncertainty in the

Fig. 3. A decomposing cat body was found in the front of a home in a state of disrepair and hoarding. The cats body was found in a front room on the opposite side of the house
as the decedent. The decedent was found in an advanced state of decomposition. Maggots of 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar Phormia regina were collected from the cats mouth.
e16 M.R. Sanford / Forensic Science International 247 (2015) e11e17

estimated TOC for the decedent, including temperatures experi- Europe [36,37]. The presence of the dogs body in the well
enced by the developing larvae on the cats body. illuminated back room of the house which had little furniture but
which was not clean seems to be similar to the ndings of Reibe
4. Discussion and Madea [37] who found this species as the initial colonizing
species in clean north-west facing rooms in Germany.
Cases involving decomposing humans and their pets are The close proximity of the decomposing pets and the
not common even in a busy medical examiners ofce, such as decomposing decedents presents the possibility for contamina-
HCIFS; however they provide an interesting opportunity to make tion. The white cat that was found with the decedent in case #1 had
observations about entomological processes that are often pupal Sarcophagidae underneath it and in the carpet surrounding
assumed. From the photographic case review, it can be seen that its body. Due to the close proximity of the white cat to the
cases involving animals found indoors with decomposing humans decedent, these pupae could have been the result of larvae that had
occur throughout the year and may or may not involve fed upon the decedent and wandered toward the wall or the cats
decomposing pets. Most of these cases involve natural manner body to seek shelter. This might be an important nding especially
of death but suicide and accidental deaths can be involved. The in later advanced decomposition cases where most of the larval
case review involving entomological processing of the humans and activity has ended and pupae and pupal exuvia are the main insect
their pet(s) illustrates several similarities and differences in the activity remaining with the decedent. One method that could
insect species involved and the TOC. potentially be used to determine what these insects had fed upon
One important similarity for all of these cases is that the y would be to attempt to extract DNA from inside the gut of the pupa
species colonizing the decedent also colonized the decomposing or the empty pupal case [38] and determine if it was from the
pets. As previously mentioned, animal models are often used in decedent or is non-human. A similar procedure might be used to
entomological studies of decomposition and insect succession determine if larvae had been feeding upon human [39,40] or
[e.g., 10,12] as well as in the generation of the development data animal [41,42] tissue.
used to calculate estimates of TOC and PMI [e.g. 30,31]. The
opportunity to directly compare insect colonization of human and
5. Conclusions
animal remains is rare and while a simultaneous direct comparison
was not possible in these cases due to the differences in time of
To my knowledge this represents the rst forensic entomology
death the observations made here support the colonization of
comparison of decomposing decedents and co-located decompos-
domestic pets and humans by similar species of ies. One step in
ing pets which presents a unique opportunity to compare and
the process of insect colonization of the decomposing tissue that
contrast the entomological community and methods used to
was not evaluated in this case review is that of the initial attraction
estimate TOC and PMI. The similarities observed in this case review
of the insects to the animal tissue [33]. Since the decedent
suggest similarity in colonization among y species. This case
presumably started to decompose before the animal(s) the
review also suggests the possibility for contamination between the
chemical attractants that initiated y attraction to the bodies
decedent and the pet(s) and the possibility for using genetic
was most likely human. The subsequent colonization of the animal
methods to differentiate tissue sources in these cases. There are
bodies may have occurred because of ease of access by ies that
many aspects of indoor y colonization that are unknown and
had already been attracted to the odors of the decomposing human
future studies investigating the impact of indoor insect access,
body. One way that this might be evaluated in the future would be
temperature and temperature variation in a residence may help to
to examine the relatedness of the individual insects colonizing
address the differences observed in insect colonization of humans
the decedent and the pet(s) and attempt to determine if the same
and animals indoors.
females deposited their offspring on both the human and the
animal(s). If the ies were found to be unrelated this would suggest
a similar attraction and colonization by these y species to human Acknowledgements
and animal tissue.
Another similarity that can be found among all the decom- The author would like to acknowledge the forensic investiga-
posing bodies in these cases is the presence of the scuttle y, M. tors that photographed and reported on the three discussed
scalaris and the esh y, B. plinthopyga. These two species were scenes: Ellie Wallace and Kyle Kaighen, for their assistance. In
present on both the humans and the animal bodies at these indoor addition the author would like to acknowledge the support of the
scenes. In fact these two species were present in a large percentage Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, TX, USA. The
of indoor cases investigated by the HCIFS. From January 2013 author also wishes to acknowledge Dr. Jeff Tomberlin for his
through July 2014, Sarcophagidae comprised 67.1% of the speci- comments and advice on an earlier version of this manuscript.
mens from indoor cases and Phoridae were found in 48.6% of
indoor cases (n = 102). These two species were the dominant References
species identied from these indoor cases. The prevalence
of Phoridae and Sarcophagidae indoors has been previously [1] A.J. Shepherd, U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, American Veter-
inary Medical Association, 2012.
documented in Hawaii [34] and Europe [35,36]. [2] R.W. Byard, R.A. James, J.D. Gilbert, Diagnostic problems associated with cadaveric
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