Case closed - Wrappings and encasement delays and reduces fly presence on body parts

The decomposition process in two restricted access environments in a temperate climate: Hard-covered suitcases and wheeled bins

The succession, development, and behavior of necrophagous insects on decomposing remains are used by forensic entomologists to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI). Carcasses are often recovered from concealed environments, such as burials, wrapping, suitcases and waste bins, where they are protected from abiotic and biotic factors, including carrion fauna. The present study represents the first comprehensive research on concealed environments in Australia. Stillborn piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus L.) placed in hard-covered suitcases (N = 40, restricted access) and wheeled bins (N = 20, partially restricted access) were compared with controls (N = 5, exposed) placed on the soil surface, over a period of 164 days (Austral winter to spring). The analysis compared the decomposition process patterns and considered the insect assemblages colonizing the carcasses in each concealment type and the controls. Results show that 1) insects were attracted to the control carcasses within hours of placement in the field (Day 1, D1), followed by wheeled bin carcasses (D3) and suitcase carcasses (D4); 2) carcasses reached skeletonization on D65 (exposed), D108 (wheeled bin) and D136 (suitcase); 3) the assemblages of necrophagous insect species were different between the exposed and the concealed carcasses; 4) blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were the most prevalent insects colonizing the controls and wheeled bins, while coffin flies (Diptera: Phoridae) were the most prevalent in the suitcases, with some colonized by black soldier flies (Diptera: Stratyiomiidae). The results of this research contribute to the understanding of decomposition processes and insect activity in restricted access environments and help provide a more accurate estimation of the minPMI in forensic cases.

Concealed Homicides-A Postmortem Study and Review

ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, of all cases of homicide (January 2003-December 2022) where the victims' bodies had been concealed. Three hundred twenty-six homicides were identified, which included 27 cases where bodies had been deliberately hidden (8%) (age range, 2-82 years; ave, 34.9 years; M:F = 1.5:1). Deaths were due to blunt force trauma (n = 11), sharp force trauma (n = 4), asphyxia (n = 4), gunshot wound (n = 2), and a combination of drowning and asphyxia (n = 1). In 5 cases, the cause of death was not determinable. The methods of concealment (which were sometimes overlapping) included the following: dumping at a hidden/isolated location (n = 8), burial (n = 7), dismembering (n = 3), incinerating (n = 3), hiding in a wheeled garbage bin (n = 2), disposing in garbage resulting in the remains being located at waste disposal facilities (n = 2), hiding in a shed (n = 1), under a concrete floor (n = 1), in a suitcase (n = 1), in a river (n = 1), in a mine shaft (n = 1), and in a septic tank (n = 1). Although it has been asserted that concealed homicides are rarely encountered in forensic practice, the current study has demonstrated that the bodies in at least 8% of victims of homicide in South Australia have undergone some form of concealment.