Comparitive Study on Outdoor and Indoor Forensic Insects encountered on Rabbit Corpses in Upper Egypt

Abstract

This work aims to illustrate the forensic insects, their succession patterns and decomposition stages of rabbit corpses in ecologically different sites. The present study was performed on two sites including outdoor, open or roof site, in addition to indoor, closed or ground site of the faculty of science in Qena city for four successive seasons. Results showed eighteen species of necrophagous, necrophilous, omnivorous and accidental insects, of them, five outdoor species, three indoor species and ten common species. The five corpse decomposition stages (fresh, bloating, active, advanced and dry stages) have been observed. Twelve species of Diptera and three species of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera were collected from the carcasses. The dipteran species were the predominant groups on the corpses, whereas the coleopterans occupied the 2 nd . The most important forensic insects were represented by Sarcophaga carnaria, Wohlfahrtia magnifica, Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia cuprina, Muscina stabulans, Megaselia scalaris and genus Nasonia. Moreover, the studied calliphorid and sarcophagid flies were the first colonizers to arrive and breed on rabbit carcasses. The rate of corpse decomposition was faster in summer and spring as compared to winter and autumn. Outdoor corpses decomposed faster than indoor corpses. On the other hand, the statistical analysis showed negative temperature and humidity correlation on Sarcophaga carnaria, while both Wohlfahrtia magnifica and Muscina stabulans were affected positively by temperature and humidity, respectively. Therefore, these results are recommended to be taken in Criminal investigations.