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Succession of necrofagous entomofauna from a biomodel of beef viscera

Abstract:

Forensic entomology emerges as technical and scientific support for criminal investigation, providing information on the date of death. A commonly used method is the succession of necrofagous entomofauna on the body; however, most studies are performed using animal carcasses. Because of this, the present study intends to use beef viscera as biomodel, to determine the succession of species of forensic importance in Carabobo State. Lung and liver were used, and the entomofauna was collected and identified during eight days. 127 adult individuals of the Order Diptera, belonging to the families: Calliphoridae (67.9%), Muscidae (23.1%), Piophilidae (5.3%) and Sarcophagidae (3.7%), were obtained; and in Coleoptera, seven adult insects of Cleridae and Dermestidae. The species reported were Chrysomya megacephala, Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya albiceps and Cochliomyia macellaria in Calliphoridae; Dermestes maculatus and Necrobia rufipes in Dermestidae and Cleridae, respectively. The richest variety and abundance of insects was found in the early days of decomposition, followed by the emergence of Diptera larvae and beetles breaking down tissues progressively. The succession pattern is consistent with other studies conducted in the states of Aragua and Carabobo, which considered the use of dead rabbits and rodents, respectively. The implementation of this biomodel will allow the development of sampling protocols in order to generate a database that links the decomposition phases with species of forensic importance.