Bonacci 2017 Flies and ants: A forensic entomological neglect case of an elderly man in Calabria, Southern Italy
Quelle: Romanian Journal for Legal Medicine 25: 283-286, 2017, DOI: 10.4323/rjlm.2017.283
Flies and ants: A forensic entomological neglect case of an elderly man in Calabria, Southern Italy
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VON TERESA BONACCI, VANNIO VERCILLO & MARK BENECKE
Abstract: Neglect cases are on the rise. We report a case of an 80-year-old man who was neglected for one to two weeks in the urban area of Acri (Cosenza), Calabria, Italy. Musca domestica, Fannia canicularis and Lucilia sericata were used as indicators for estimation of neglect interval. The possible presence of ants is also discussed due to typical lesions yet in the absence of actual specimens.
Key Words: neglect of the elderly, forensic entomology, ants, ant lesions, Diptera.
In memory of Dan Dermengiu (MB)
INTRODUCTION
Some insects species are valuable forensic indicators in cases of abuse and neglect. They deposit their eggs in and around clothing and skin and feed at open wounds, ulcers, natural openings, etc. (Zumpt, 1965, Sherman and Hall, 2000). In particular, immature stages of Calliphorids may give information on how long a person was neglected but also Muscids, Sarcophagids and other species may prove cases of
neglect (Baumjohann et al., 2011; Benecke et al., 2001, 2004; Benecke 2010; Bonacci et al., 2014, Lord, 1990).
Here, we present a case of neglect of an 80-yearold incontinent, elderly man with a psychiatric illness in the urban area of Acri (Cosenza), Calabria, Italy.
The colonization with Diptera larvae before his death (myiasis sensu strictu) shed a light on his suffering and was used to prove his neglect before death.
FINDINGS AND RESULTS
In the apartment, garbage, feces and urine were scattered around. The only window of the apartment was closed. Cause of death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathyand chronic active hepatitis. The temperature in Acri city nine days before and on the day of the discovery of the corpse was 23.9 ± 1.35°C (Acari city weather station).
On the corpse, especially near the anal and genital areas, few mature larvae (end of third larval stage) of Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 and Fannia scalaris (Fabricius, 1794) were found. Dead adults of M. domestica were collected from the room (all on July 9, 2015). Both species are attracted to body secretions including feces and urine (Smith 1985).
Also, 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of Lucilia sericata
were found (but no dead Calliphorids). On the floor,
dead adult Musca domestica L. and Fannia scalaris and
many active and empty puparia of both species were
found near the corpse and near the closed window (Fig.
2) of the room where the corpse was found. Some larvae
were put in hot water first, then stored in 90% ethanol;
some specimens were reared to the adult stage.
External examination of the corpse also revealed
multiple irregular, brown injuries (1–4 mm) on the
skin, typical of ant action (Bonacci & Vercillo, 2015).
However, no Formicidae were found on the corpse and
inside of the apartment.
The larvae of L. sericata take 3.5 (25°C) to 4.5 days (22°C) to reach end of L3 (data from Austria: Grassberger
& Reiter, 2001), and 10 (25°C) to 13 (20°C) days to reach
end of postfeeding state (data from Pakistan: El-Kady et
al., 1999), i.e., the colonization interval of the apartment
was at least one, maybe even two weeks.
At 25°C, the duration (in days) of post-feeding
larvae of M. domestica is 3.33± 0.33. The duration of
pupae age is 6.33 ± 0.33 (El-Kady et al., 1999). Total
duration of development from eggs to pupae is 13.30 ±
0.66 days. Musca domestica is known to be a common
synantropic species. Since the larvae were found on the
corpse, and since Fannia canicularis was also present, this
was considered to be a strong indicator for the presence
of feces and urine due to neglect, as has been reported
from other cases of neglect (Benecke, 2010). Fannia
in particular has a strong preference for urine and is
therefore commonly found in toilets, privies, stables and
pigsties (Smith 1986).
DISCUSSION
Insect colonization of the neglected man took
place for around approximately week. His fam-ily had not
taken care of him, as was concluded from the hygienic
conditions including the insect evidence inside of the
house.
Cases of neglect towards elderly people or
children seem to be rising (Doward 2012, dpa 2003,
Sheridan 2017) due to changes in age structure but
recently also largely due to substance abuse. Neglect is
not always easy to prove since social workers and rescue
personnel may not check for stains. For neighbours
and relatives, some cases of neglect are also shocking
and difficult to comprehend which may lead to wrong
statements.
Here (and probably often), Musca domestica
which is attracted to decaying organic matter with
a preference for human feces at neglected and dead
persons, along with Fannia canicularis which is attracted
to urine and feces, allowed estimation of the antemortem
neglect period. In neglect cases, forensic entomology is
suitable to better understand the circumstances of death,
and to prepare objective reports to the court and to the
police. Especially the discovery of F. canicularis larvae on
a body indicates that infestation occurred prior to death
(Benecke and Lessig, 2001).
Some - especially Calliphorid - fly species
are known to be associated also with wounds on living bodies and can therefore be use for maggot therapy
(Fleischmann et al., 2003; Sherman & Hall, 2000). If a
person is not properly cared for and cleaned, blow flies
are attracted to their bodily wastes, depositing their eggs
with a preference for open wounds. In Calabria, L. sericata
is a synanthropic species strongly related to the urban
area and to the warmer months (Greco et al., 2014). It is
therefore also an interesting marker for neglect (Benecke
& Lessig 2001).
In contrast to diptera on corpses, the behaviour
of ants in forensic cases is less in focus but may be soon
due to climate change (Benecke et al. 1999; Benecke 2008;
Bermúdez 2010; Campobasso et al., 2009; Ramón et al.,
2015; Salona-Bordas et al., 2014; Ventura et al., 2010).
In the context of neglect, a major concern relating to ants are postmortem skin lesions that may be
confused with antemortem injuries by unexperienced
personell. Pheidole and Camponotus ants were observed
to produce damage to the nose and ears of pig carcasses
(Barros et al., 2008). In Brazil, ants caused small injuries
at every decompositional stage and at different parts of
rat corpses (Moura et al., 1997).
In the case of the globally expanding and invasive
fire ants (Solenopsis spp.), one must also take care to
distinguish between cause of death due to allergies or
actual poisoning and their possibly unrelated presence.
Until now, ants were used to determine
postmortem interval, mostly by use of colony buildup
(Goff & Win, 1997), or to determine if a perpetrator
had been at a scene of crime (Benecke & Seifert, 1999;
for determination of ants, it is necessary to contact a
specialist since their determination needs experience).
Generally, we highly recommend to document
photographically, and to collect arthropods early at the
scene of neglect to avoid wrong accusations as well as
failing to notice objective proof of neglect.
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