ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 8

Determination of Postmortem Interval by Arthropod Succession: A Case Study from the Hawaiian Islands
Goff, ML
Associate professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI

Flynn, MM
First deputy medical examiner, Department of the Medical examiner, HI

(Received 12 September 1989; accepted 9 May 1990)

Abstract

A postmortem interval of 34 to 36 days was established for remains recovered on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, based on interpretations of patterns of arthropod succession on the remains. This interval was primarily based on the presence of adult specimens of Philonthus longicornis (family Staphylinidae), mature larvae of Piophila casei (family Piophilidae), and empty puparial cases of Chrysomya rufifacies (family Calliphoridae). Species and developmental stages of two additional Coleoptera species and three additional Diptera species were also present, which was consistent with the estimated interval, although not definitive.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, postmortem interval, entomology, decomposition, arthropod succession

Paper ID: JFS13067J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13067J
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