The Postmortem Interval of Two Decedents and Two Dog Carcasses at the Same Scene Based on Forensic Entomology

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This paper reports a case in which the minimum postmortem interval (PMI) of two corpses, a man and a woman, and two dog carcasses at the same scene was estimated using forensic entomology. The corpses were found in various states of decay and had been colonized by different insect species. A total of eight taxa of immature insects were isolated from the four corpses and carcasses. The minimum PMIs were estimated to be about 8.75 days for the corpse of the woman, 4.17 days for that of the man, 3.13 days for the dog carcass found in the stairwell, and about 28.80 days for the dog carcass found in the toilet. These estimations were consistent with other evidence. Although the soft tissue loss observed on the man’s corpse was more severe than that of the woman’s corpse, the woman had died much earlier than the man. The discrepancy is thought to have been caused by dogs’ feeding activity. This case report provides a reference point and new perspectives for forensic entomology research on estimating the minimum PMIs of multiple human corpses and animal carcasses found in an indoor environment. ABSTRACT: In this paper, we report the estimation of the minimum PMIs of two human corpses and two dog carcasses using entomological evidence. Corpses of an elderly couple and carcasses of four dogs were found scattered on different floors in a house. The scene was very dirty. In addition, there were 12 emaciated live dogs at the scene. The corpses had been eaten by the dogs to different degrees, but the damage was greater on the man’s corpse. After forensic examination, it was concluded that both individuals died of natural causes. The minimum PMIs of the two individuals and the two dogs were estimated using entomological evidence. The minimum PMIs of the other two dogs were not estimated because of the risk of contamination with the human corpses. Different insect species were found on each of the corpses and carcasses. The minimum PMIs were estimated as about 8.75 days for the woman, 4.17 days for the man, 3.13 days for the dog found in the stairwell and about 28.80 days for the dog found in the toilet. These estimations coincided with the time the woman stopped communicating with her daughter and when the electricity consumption at the house decreased significantly.