Larvae of the family Piophilidae found in the marrow space of skeletal remains during a forensic autopsy

Masashi KIRINOKI; Masahito HITOSUGI; Yuichi CHIGUSA; Akira KUROSU; Shogo TOKUDOME

doi:10.7601/mez.61.115

Original Articles

Larvae of the family Piophilidae found in the marrow space of skeletal remains during a forensic autopsy

Masashi KIRINOKI, Masahito HITOSUGI, Yuichi CHIGUSA, Akira KUROSU, Shogo TOKUDOME

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Keywords: Piophilidae, forensic autopsy, forensic entomology, forensic post-mortem examination, bone

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 61 Issue 2 Pages 115-119

DOI https://doi.org/10.7601/mez.61.115

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Abstract

We found the 3rd instar larvae of the family Piophilidae (Diptera) in skeletal remains during a forensic autopsy in late December in the Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Of note, all the larvae were found in the marrow space of the right femur, thus indicating that the piophilid larvae are able to penetrate the bones of human corpse. This fact demonstrates the importance of a careful examination of skeletal remains, and is emphasizing that forensic pathologists should also examine the inside of bones during a forensic autopsy, because such procedures may provide valuable entomological evidence.

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