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Decomposition and insect succession on human cadavers in a humid, continental (Dfb) climate (Quebec, Canada)

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Abstract

Forensic entomology has been developing globally for decades. Despite this discipline being used in criminal investigations around the world, only a few controlled studies have been performed on human cadavers in human decomposition facilities, with the majority of these being conducted in warm and often dry climates. Therefore, the purpose of our research was to catalogue the first published data on insects associated with decomposed human bodies in a humid, continental (Dfb) climate. Specifically, our objective was to document the diversity and succession of the entomofauna associated with human cadavers throughout the decomposition process, in the Quebec province of Canada, during the summer season. Two human cadavers were studied in 2020 at the site for Research in Experimental and Social Thanatology, REST, located in Bécancour (Quebec, Canada). Insects (and other arthropods) were regularly sampled by visual observations, collection from the cadavers, and by using an entomological net and pitfall traps. Our results highlight that the decomposition process is a heterogeneous and complex process in Quebec, with cadavers showing signs of precocious desiccation/mummification. In addition, our observations confirm that the presence of superficial skin lesions accelerates the colonization of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and, consequently, the process of decomposition. Finally, we were able to discriminate between “early colonizers” (e.g., Calliphoridae Lucilia sp. or Calliphora livida), “late colonizers” (e.g., larvae of Piophilidae or Heleomyzidae), and “non-specific colonizers.” We also officially report the first observation of Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Quebec. These findings will provide new information to help medico-legal death investigations by determining the minimum time elapsed since death and the circumstances surrounding death.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Société du Parc Industriel et Portuaire de Bécancour (SPIPB), The Department of Anatomy of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), and the team of the UQTR Canada 150 Research Chair in Forensic Thanatology for their assistance in this study, as well as Christopher Watson (Parks Canada) for reviewing the manuscript. Finally, we wish to sincerely thank the donors and their families without who this research could not have been conducted.

Funding

Canada 150 Research Chair in Forensic Thanatology (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières), Fonds de Recherche du Québec (AUDACE program 2019-AUDC-262767), and complementary postdoctoral scholarship from the International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC).

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  1. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351, Boul. des Forges, Trois-Rivières (Qc), G8Z 4M3, Canada

    Julie-Éléonore Maisonhaute & Shari L. Forbes

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Correspondence to Julie-Éléonore Maisonhaute.

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Sous-comité d’éthique du laboratoire d’enseignement et de recherche en anatomie, UQTR (CER-09–148-06.05 and SCELERA-20–04).

Research involving human participants and/or animals and informed consent

All human donors involved in this research provided informed consent during life, and/or their family provided informed consent following death, following the guidelines required for body donation to UQTR. The research conducted in this manuscript was reviewed and approved by the UQTR human ethics sub-committee of the anatomy laboratory for research and teaching purposes (CER-09–148-06.05 and SCELERA-20–04).

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Maisonhaute, JÉ., Forbes, S.L. Decomposition and insect succession on human cadavers in a humid, continental (Dfb) climate (Quebec, Canada). Int J Legal Med 137, 493–509 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02903-0

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