Invertebrate Signature on Moved Pig Carcasses

Insects are of great importance as evidence in a human death investigation due to their ability to quickly inhabit a corpse and arrive in a recognizable pattern of stages during the decomposition process. Forensic entomology is the utilization of insect evidence in investigations, mainly violent crimes.



The question of movement of a body frequently arises during investigations. This thesis project explores the presence of an insect signature associated with a moved corpse. The carcasses of 6 domestic pigs destined for euthanasia were acquired and placed at the following locations:

2 in a rural setting at University Farm(Case Western Reserve Research Farm) in Hunting Valley, Ohio.

4 in an urban setting on the campus of Cleveland State University in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

After 24 hours, 2 of the pig carcasses from the urban location were moved to the rural location to imitate the movement and disposal of a body to a secluded area after a violent crime has occurred.



The 6 pig carcasses will be sampled over the summer in order to collect the insect "evidence" from each body. This project will examine the insect composition at each location to see if an insect signature is in fact associated with a body moved from an urban to a rural area.



Pictures, video and text will be uploaded throughout the decomposition process.


Submitted by Krystal Hans, MS student, Cleveland State University, 29 June 2009