The objective of this research was to explore the succession pattern and abundance of carrion insects on decomposing pig carcasses, and the influence of environmental variables and poison on these processes. Conducted in a secluded area of the University of Ibadan stadium, this study used two domestic pigs, Sus scrofa, as surrogate human models. One pig was euthanized using Sniper insecticide, a common suicide agent, while the other was sacrificed without poison, serving as a control experiment.
The carcasses were left to decay until the dry stage, with observations made throughout the five stages of decomposition: fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay, and dry stage. Insect collection during decomposition was done using a sweep net, and the insects were preserved in alcohol for identification. Carrion insect families identified included Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Dermestidae, with Calliphoridae being the most abundant and the first to colonize the decomposing carrion.
The findings from this study underscored the forensic importance of carrion insects, emphasizing their potential use in forensic investigations to estimate post-mortem intervals, causes of death, and places of death. Given the biological similarity between pigs and humans, these findings could contribute to solving human crime cases.
Table of Contents
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. Forensic Entomology
1.2. Forensic Entomotoxicology
1.3. Carrion Insects
1.4. Sniper
1.5. Aims and Objectives of the Study
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2. Forensic Entomology
2.1. Areas of Forensic Entomology
2.1.1. Urban forensic entomology:
2.1.2. Stored-product forensic entomology
2.1.3. Medico legal forensic entomology:
2.2. Decomposition
2.2.1 Fresh stage
2.2.2 Bloat stage
2.2.3 Active decay stage
2.2.4 Advanced decay stage
2.2.5 Dry remains stage
2.3. Succession of Carrion Insects
2.4. Arthropods associated with Carrion
2.4.1 Calliphoridae
2.4.2 Muscidae
2.4.3 Sarcophagidae
2.4.4 Dermestidae
2.4.5 Cleridae
2.4.6 Silphidae
2.5. Animal Euthanasia
2.6. Forensic Entomotoxicology
2.6.1 Review of Previous Studies
2.7. Sniper (Dichlorvos)
2.8. Detection of Toxins in Carrion Feeding Insects
2.9. Justification of study
CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. STUDY SITE
3.2. SAMPLE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
3.2.1. Sampling for insects
3.2.2. Sampling for maggot
3.2.3. Sampling for pupa
3.2.4. Measurement of environmental variables
3.3. SAMPLE ANALYSES
CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS
4.1. Abundance and species composition of carrion insects on pig carcass
4.2. Carrion Insect Succession on Pig carrion
4.3. Effect of sniper insecticide on the length and weight of larva
4.4. Variations in environmental variables at the field site
CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION
5.1. Abundance and species composition of carrion insects on pig carcass
5.2. Carrion insect succession on pig carcass
5.3. Effect of Sniper insecticide on the length and weight of larva
5.4. Variations in environmental variables at the field site
5.5. Conclusion
REFERENCES
- Quote paper
- Anonymous,, 2023, Insecticide and Insects. A Forensic Analysis of Pigs as Human Surrogates in Crime Investigations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1366205
