Post mortem interval (PMI) estimation for a human cadaver in Bumehen, Tehran, Iran

Background: Isomegalen and isomorphen diagrams based on thermal needs of insects have been developed to estimate the age of immature stages and post mortem interval (PMI) of cadavers Objectives: Utility of isomegalen diagram of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae), the most common fly species on human cadavers, was tested to estimate PMI of a human cadaver found in Bomehen, southern part of Tehran district.Materials and Methods: Insect immature stages (egg batches) inside the eye and mouthpart orifices were collected from a human cadaver who was referred to Kahrizak Autopsy Hall, September 2018. The cadaver belonged to a homeless, 51 years old addicted man found outdoor, who believed to die due to an acute respiratory syndrome. The eggs have placed on chicken liver at laboratory condition (250C and 50±10% RH) to achieve the larvae. The larvae were identified based on standard morphological keys.Results: The larvae and subsequent appeared adults identified as L. sericata. The temperature of the scene was about 200C. The cadaver has found at 8 AM. PMI of this cadaver was estimated 2-12 hours based on the L. sericata isomegalen diagram which is far less than the PMI estimated by forensic medical specialist, 48h. Two scenarios can be postulated, the adult fly laid eggs late evening of the day before of discovering of the cadaver, and secondly the flies laid eggs two hours at early morning of the day cadaver discovered.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that fly development diagrams can be used for more precise PMI estimation.

کلیدواژه ها:

PMI ، Isomegalen ، Lucilia sericata ، Human Cadaver