The Use of Forensic Entomology in Legal Veterinary Medicine: A Case Study in the North of Italy

Abstract

During winter 2010 a forensic entomological study was undertaken in San Bartolomeo in Bosco (FE) Emilia-Romagna Region (North of Italy) on different animal carrion found in a farm several days after they died. The entomological evidence collected at the scene consisted of Calliphoridae (larvae of Calliphora vicina), Stratiomydae (larvae of Hermetia illucens), Dermestidae (larval exuviae of Dermestes maculatus). During diagnostic investigation the Diptera Larvae were taken from the carrion and were reared in the laboratory under constant temperature, humidity and fotoperiod. The minimum Post Mortem Interval (mPMI) was calculated using the quantity of thermal energy necessary for a given species to complete its life cycle from eggs to imago (accumulated degree-days-method). The results of the calculations were consistent with what the judicial investigation later showed. This case report illustrated the importance of using insects in legal veterinary medicine for define the time and circumstances of the death of an animal.