Calliphorids as forensic indicator to facilitate PMI estimation: A case study from Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Objectives: Calliphorids especially blowflies are act as important forensic indicators as they are foremost visitors of the corpse and act as silent witness after the accomplishment of crime. Methods: In present case study immature stages of blowflies utilized for PMI estimation. Postmortem Interval (PMI) of a highly putrefied male corpse in advanced stage of decomposition was estimated. Corpse was found under the culvert of Bijapur – Bhopalpatnam road, Village Modakpal, District Bijapur, State Chhattisgarh, India. PMI was determined with the help of Accumulated Degree Hours (ADH) method based on developmental period of third instar larvae of Blowfly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius). Tentative PMI of corpse is 5.5 days. Apart from Chrysomya megacephala immature stages as well as adults of Chrysomya rufifaces (Macquart) were also collected from deceased body. Entomological samples were sent for identification to the department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, India. Results and conclusions: Larval stages were identified based on anterior and posterior spiracles and cephalophrangeal apparatus. Adults were identified based on their morphological characters. For accurate PMI estimation correct insect identification and meteorological data of crime scene are key parameters.

Keywords

• Blowfly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius)
• Maggots
• Postmortem Interval (PMI) ADH method