An Entomological Model for Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval

Abstract

Identification of post-mortem interval started from the time when the dead body was found. The main question is to identify the time of death. In reality, the task is complicated since many local factors are involved in the process of decomposition. In most cases, the decomposition process is done by certain local insects that consume the biomass completely. This study uses a mathematical model for the post-mortem interval involving diptera and rabbit corpses as the biomass, based on experimental data from references. We formulate a type of logistic model with decaying carrying capacity only with diptera. The post-mortem interval is shown as the end period of consumption when larvae have entirely consumed the biomass. It is shown from the simulation that the decomposition lasts for 235 hours. The diptera are shown to disappear completely, leaving the remaining corpse after 120 hours.

Keywords

• forensic process
• post-mortem
• diptera
• biomass decomposition