First report of Rhantus validus Sharp (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) as necrophage and generator of postmortem artifacts in a human corpse found in an artificial freshwater pond from the Región de La Araucanía, Chile
The forensic information of criminal interest that can be obtained from a decomposing human corpse can be harmed by postmortem changes. The presence of the water beetle Rhantus validus feeding on a corpse found in an artificial freshwater pond in Peñehue, Región de La Araucanía, Chile, and postmorte...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedad Chilena de Entomología
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Revista Chilena de Entomología |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/59490 |
| Summary: | The forensic information of criminal interest that can be obtained from a decomposing human corpse can be harmed by postmortem changes. The presence of the water beetle Rhantus validus feeding on a corpse found in an artificial freshwater pond in Peñehue, Región de La Araucanía, Chile, and postmortem artifacts caused by their necrophagous activity is reported. These skin modifications can be confused with antemortem injuries. The ecological conditions that allow this feeding behavior
and the forensic repercussions of this finding are discussed. |
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| ISSN: | 0034-740X 0718-8994 |