ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Estimation of Postmortem Interval Based on Colony Development Time for Anoplolepsis longipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Win, BH

Goff, ML
Professor of Entomology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI

(Received 29 October 1996; accepted 4 April 1997)

Abstract

The postmortem interval for a set of human remains discovered inside a metal tool box was estimated using the development time required for a stratiomyid fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Hermetia illucens, in combination with the time required to establish a colony of the ant Anoplolepsis longipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) capable of producing alate (winged) reproductives. This analysis resulted in a postmortem interval estimate of 14 + months, with a period of 14–18 months being the most probable time interval. The victim had been missing for approximately 18 months.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic pathology, insects, ants, soldier flies, colony formation, forensic entomology, postmortem interval

Paper ID: JFS14281J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14281J
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