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KMID : 0357820230470020047
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Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2023 Volume.47 No. 2 p.47 ~ p.51
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Estimating the Post-mortem Interval Using Black Larder Beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae): A Case Study of Cats Abandoned Indoors in Daegu, Korea
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Baek In-Seong
Kim Na-Yeon
Moon Tae-Young
Kang Tae-Mo
Choi Jin-Hyuk
Park Seong-Hwan
Lee Kyung-Hyun
Kim Ah-Young
Park Sang-Hyun
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Abstract
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Black larder beetles prefer to feed on decomposing animal bodies, particularly those that are dried. When conditions are dry and warm, these beetles often appear in large numbers on dried animal carcasses. In our case, the dried carcasses of several cats were found nearly skeletonized at a villa in Daegu Metropolitan City on July 13, 2022. There were very few empty pupae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) in the villa, but many adult black larder beetles, larvae, and larval cast skin (exuviae) (Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Kuster) belonging to the family of larder beetles (Dermestidae) were found. We estimated the minimum post-mortem interval to be 44.5 days using temperature data from the nearest meteorological observatory and reported animal carcass decomposition and Dermestidae developmental rates. Police investigation confirmed that the cats were alive at least 3 months ago. Consequently, the neglected cats could not have been deceased in the villa for more than 3 months. As a result, the estimate closely matched the statement from the suspect.
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KEYWORD
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Forensic entomology, Black larder beetle, Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Kuster, Abandoned animal, Post-mortem interval
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