Forensic entomology of high-rise buildings in Malaysia: Three case reports
- Author:
Syamsa, R.A.
;
Omar, B.
;
Zuha, R.M.
;
Faridah, M.N.
;
Swarhib, M.S.
;
Hidayatulfathi, O.
;
Shahrom, A.W.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2015;32(2):291-299
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The distributions of flies are not only confined to ground level but can also be at
higher altitudes. Here, we report three forensic cases involving dipterans in high-rise buildings
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Case 1 involved a corpse of adult female found at the top floor of
a fifteen-story apartment. Case 2 dealt with a body of a 75-year-old female discovered in a
bedroom on the eleventh floor of an eighteen-story building, while Case 3 was a 52-year-old
male found in his fifth floor shop house. Interestingly, entomological analysis revealed that all
corpses were infested with similar Dipterans: Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae),
Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae) and sarcophagid (Diptera:
Sarcophagidae). The first two species were commonly associated with corpses found indoors
at ground level. We noted the additional occurrence of blowflies Chrysomya megacephala
(Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Chrysomya rufifacies Macquart (Diptera:
Calliphoridae) larvae in Case 2 and Case 3, respectively. Findings from this study are significant
as they demonstrate that certain groups of fly can locate dead bodies even in high-rise
buildings. Forensic entomofauna research on corpses found at high elevation is scarce and
our study has highlighted the peculiarity of the fly species involved in Malaysia.
- Full text:W020150709326501585242.pdf
