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Temperature: the weak point of forensic entomology

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Abstract

Measuring temperature is a key factor in forensic entomology. While noting factors to consider for a posteriori temperature estimation, many studies lack detailed methods or general rules allowing their integration into insect development-time calculations. This article proposes tools for determining the adequacy of weather station temperature datasets versus the local temperature experienced by carrion breeders. The idea is to start from a local scale (i.e., the cadaver) and gradually move to larger scales: at each step, the temperature can be increased, decreased or smoothed by environmental or biological factors. While a one-size-fits-all solution is not feasible for a complex and sensitive issue such as forensic meteorology, this checklist increases the reliability of minimum post-mortem interval (PMImin) estimation and the traceability of the proposed assumption.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CHU Lille, EA 7367 - UTML - Unite de Taphonomie Medico-Legale, Univ Lille, Lille, France

    Damien Charabidze & Valéry Hedouin

  2. Unité de Taphonomie Médico-Légale, 1 rue A. Verhaeghe, F-59000, Lille, France

    Damien Charabidze

Authors
  1. Damien Charabidze
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  2. Valéry Hedouin
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Correspondence to Damien Charabidze.

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Charabidze, D., Hedouin, V. Temperature: the weak point of forensic entomology. Int J Legal Med 133, 633–639 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-018-1898-1

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