Efeito da carbonização de carcaças suínas no tempo de decomposição, na atratividade e diversidade de dípteros de importância forense

Abstract

Several techniques can help in the evaluation of the postmortem interval (MPI) and in determining the possible cause of death, an example is the study of the different decomposition phases of a corpse. These phases can be influenced by abiotic factors (temperature, humidity and precipitation), injuries to the body, physiological and metabolic factors of the body itself and the way death occurred, such as carbonization. Forensic Entomology through cadaveric entomofauna can help in the estimation of MPI and determine the possible cause of death. The objective of this work was to investigate the duration of decomposition stages, as well as the frequency, abundance and attractiveness of diptera associated with carbonized carcasses at two different carbonization levels, compared to non-carbonized carcasses. The carcasses were exposed in a rural open field area and the decomposition phases were recorded daily in images and field diaries. Adult insects were collected daily in all carcasses using entomological nets and identified in the laboratory. Postures, larvae and pupae were also collected daily, taken to the laboratory to be reared until adult emergence and subsequent identification. All carcasses went through the five stages of decomposition, but the charred carcasses had less time in the fresh and active decomposition phases. The attractiveness exerted by both burnt and unburnt carcasses was more significant in the species Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia eximia and Musca domestica. Chrysomya albiceps was the most abundant species in all treatments. The entomological succession was different in the burned and unburned treatments regarding species abundance and similar in species diversity, concluding that carbonization does not directly influence the attractiveness of diptera.