Impact of necrophagous insects on the emission of volatile organic compounds released during the decaying process

[en] After death, corpses undergo a complex decomposition process, during which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released. Several groups of organisms, including insects, use these VOCs to select their mating and feeding sites. While the presence of insects on a corpse influences the decaying process, we do not know whether insects impact on the VOC profile released by the cadaver. Using decomposing rats exposed to dipterans (Lucilia sericata) and/or coleopterans (Dermeste frischii), we assessed how the presence of insects impacted the cadaver volatilome by using dynamic sampling. As expected, the decomposition of rats in presence of insects was faster than in absence of insects. All rats went through the five decomposition stages with the exception of rats decomposing without insects. The composition of their volatile profiles differed among decomposition stages. We also found that insects do not affect the volatilome of decomposing rats, and no indicator compound could be associated to the presence of specific insect groups

Disciplines :

Entomology & pest control

Author, co-author :

Martin, Clément ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Agronomie, Bio-ingénierie et Chimie (AgroBioChem) > Gestion durable des bio-agresseurs

Vanderplanck, Maryse

Boullis, Antoine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Agronomie, Bio-ingénierie et Chimie (AgroBioChem) > Gestion durable des bio-agresseurs

Haubruge, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Gestion durable des bio-agresseurs

Verheggen, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Agronomie, Bio-ingénierie et Chimie (AgroBioChem) > Gestion durable des bio-agresseurs

Language :

English

Title :

Impact of necrophagous insects on the emission of volatile organic compounds released during the decaying process

Publication date :

2019

Journal title :

Entomologia Generalis

ISSN :

0171-8177

eISSN :

2363-7102

Publisher :

E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Germany

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 12 March 2019

Statistics

Number of views

213 (36 by ULiège)

Number of downloads

20 (16 by ULiège)

More statistics

Scopus citations^®

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

OpenCitations

OpenAlex citations

Bibliography

Abdullah, S.R., Omar, B., Firdaus, A. et al. (2017): Comparative fly species composition on indoor and outdoor forensic cases in Malaysia. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine 45: 41-46, doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.12.002.
Adlam, R.E. & Simmons, T. (2007): The effect of repeated physical disturbance on soft tissue decomposition - are taphonomic studies an accurate reflection of decomposition? - Journal of Forensic Sciences 52 (5): 1007-1014, doi: 10.1111/j.1556- 4029.2007.00510.x.
Agapiou, A., Zorba, E., Mikedi, K. et al. (2015): Analysis of volatile organic compounds released from the decay of surrogate human models simulating victims of collapsed buildings by thermal desorption-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography- time of flight mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta 883: 99-108, doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2015.04.024.
Amendt, J., Krettek, R., Zehner, R. et al. (2010): Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology. Springer, New York, doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-9684-6.
Amendt, J., Krettek, R. & Zehner, R. (2004): Forensic entomology. Naturwissenschaften 91 (2): 51-65, doi: 10.1007/ s00114-003-0493-5.
Archer, M.S. & Elgar, M.A. (2003): Effects of decomposition on carcass attendance in a guild of carrion-breeding flies. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 17 (3): 263-271, doi: 10.1046/ j.1365-2915.2003.00430.x.
Boumba, V.A., Ziavrou, K.S. & Vougiouklakis, T. (2008): Biochemical pathways generating post-mortem volatile compounds co-detected during forensic ethanol analyses. Forensic Science International 174 (2-3): 133-151, doi: 10.1016/j. forsciint.2007.03.018.
Brasseur, C., Dekeirsschieter, J., Schotsmans, E.M.J. et al. (2012): Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-offlight mass spectrometry for the forensic study of cadaveric volatile organic compounds released in soil by buried decaying pig carcasses. Journal of Chromatography A 1255: 163-170, doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2012.03.048.
Cablk, M.E., Szelagowski, E.E. & Sagebiel, J.C. (2012): Characterization of the volatile organic compounds present in the headspace of decomposing animal remains, and compared with human remains. Forensic Science International 220 (1-3): 118-25, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.02.007.
Caldwell, P., Beussman, D.J., Tipple, C.A. et al. (2011): SPME and whole air sampling comparisons of human decomposition odor, 63rd American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual.
Campobasso, C.P. & Introna, F. (2001): The forensic entomologist in the context of the forensic pathologist’s role. Forensic Science International 120 (1-2): 132-139, doi: 10.1016/S0379- 0738(01)00425-X.
Campobasso, C. Pietro, Di Vella, G. & Introna, F. (2001): Factors affecting descomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Science International, Genetics Supplement Series 120: 18-27.
Charabidzé, D., Colard, T., Vincent, B. et al. (2014): Involvement of larder beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on human cadavers: A review of 81 forensic cases. International Journal of Legal Medicine 128 (6): 1021-1030, doi: 10.1007/s00414-013- 0945-1.
Charabidzé, D., Depeme, A., Devigne, C. & Hedouin, V. (2015): Do necrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) lay their eggs in wounds? Experimental data and implications for forensic entomology. Forensic Science International 253: 71-75, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.05.025.
Clark, K., Evans, L. & Wall, R. (2006): Growth rates of the blowfly, Lucilia sericata, on different body tissues. Forensic Science International 156: 145-149, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.12.025.
Dekeirsschieter, J., Verheggen, F.J., Gohy, M. et al. (2009): Cadaveric volatile organic compounds released by decaying pig carcasses (Sus domesticus L.) in different biotopes. Forensic Science International 189 (1-3): 46-53, doi: 10.1016/j. forsciint.2009.03.034.
Dekeirsschieter, J., Stefanuto, P.-H., Brasseur, C. et al. (2012): Enhanced characterization of the smell of death by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS). PLoS One 7 (6), doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039005.
Dekeirsschieter, J., Frederickx, C., Lognay, G. et al. (2013): Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of thanatophilus sinuatus fabricius (Coleoptera: Silphidae) to selected cadaveric volatile organic compounds. Journal of Forensic Sciences 58 (4): 917-923, doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12123.
Dellicour, S. & Lecocq, T. (2013): GCAligner 1.0: An alignment program to compute a multiple sample comparison data matrix from large eco-chemical datasets obtained by GC. Journal of Separation Science 36: 3206-3209.
Dent, B.B., Forbes, S.L. & Stuart, B.H. (2004): Review of human decomposition processes in soil. Environmental Geology 45 (4): 576-585, doi: 10.1007/s00254-003-0913-z.
Dermengiu, D., Curca, G.C., Sârbu, N. et al. (2010): Sudden cardiac death in non-atherosclerotic and non-inflamatory intimal cellular proliferations. A case report. Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine 18 (3): 183-188, doi: 10.4323/rjlm.2010.183.
De Donno, A., Campobasso, C.P., Santoro, V., Leonardi, S. et al. (2014): Bodies in sequestered and non-sequestered aquatic environments: A comparative taphonomic study using decompositional scoring system, Science and Justice. Journal of the Forensic Science Society 54 (6): 439-446, doi: 10.1016/j. scijus.2014.10.003.
Goff, M.L. (2010): Early Postmortem Changes and Stages of Decomposition, in Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology. Springer, 1-24, Dordrecht.
Grassberger, M. & Frank, C. (2004): Initial study of arthropod succession on pig carrion in a central european urban habitat. Journal of Medical Entomology 41 (3): 511-523, doi: 10.1603/ 0022-2585-41.3.511.
Hefti, E., Trechsel, U., Rüfenacht, H. et al. (1980): Use of dermestid beetles for cleaning bones. Calcified Tissue International 31 (1): 45-47, doi: 10.1007/BF02407166.
Hoffman, E.M., Curran, A.M., Dulgerian, N. et al. (2009): Characterization of the volatile organic compounds present in the headspace of decomposing human remains. Forensic Science International 186 (1-3): 6-13, doi: 10.1016/j. forsciint.2008.12.022.
Huchet, J.-B. (2008): L’ apport de l’ entomologie à l’ étude des pratiques funéraires dans l’ Égypte ancienne. In: De Corps en Corps, traitement et devenir du cadavre, pp. 33-55.
Lynch-Aird, J., Moffatt, C. & Simmons, T. (2015): Decomposition Rate and Pattern in Hanging Pigs. Journal of Forensic Sciences 60 (5): 1155-1163, doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12796.
Martin, C. & Verheggen, F. (2018a): Odour profile of human corpses: A review. Forensic Chemistry 10: 27-36, doi: 10.1016/j.forc.2018.07.002.
Martin, C. & Verheggen, F. (2018b): Behavioural response of Lucilia sericata to a decaying body infested by necrophagous insects. Physiological entomology 43: 188-195, doi: 10.1111/phen.12244.
Mayer, A.C.G. & Vasconcelos, S.D. (2013): Necrophagous beetles associated with carcasses in a semi-arid environment in Northeastern Brazil: Implications for forensic entomology. Forensic Science International 226 (1-3): 41-45, doi: 10.1016/j. forsciint.2012.11.019.
McIntosh, C.S., Dadour, I.R. & Voss, S.C. (2016): A comparison of carcass decomposition and associated insect succession onto burnt and unburnt pig carcasses. International Journal of Legal Medicine 131 (3): 835-845, doi: 10.1007/s00414-016-1464-7.
Menezes, L.C.C.R., Rossi, M.N. & Godoy, W.A.C. (2006): The effect of refuge on Dermestes ater (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) predation on Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae): Refuge for prey or the predator? - Journal of Insect Behavior 19 (6): 717- 729, doi: 10.1007/s10905-006-9056-x.
Notter, S.J. et al. (2009): The initial changes of fat deposits during the decomposition of human and pig remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences 54 (1): 195-201, doi: 10.1111/ j.1556-4029.2008.00911.x.
Oksanen, J., Blanchet, F.G., Friendly, M. et al. (2017): Package “vegan”, vegan: Community Ecology Package. R package version 2.0-7.
Paczkowski, S. & Schutz, S. (2011): Post-mortem volatiles of vertebrate tissue. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 91 (4): 917-935, doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3417-x.
Pérez-Marcos, M., Arnaldos-Sanabria, I., García, M.D. et al. (2016): Examining the sarcosaprophagous fauna in a natural mountain environment (Sierra Espuña, Murcia, Spain). Annales de la Société entomologique de France 52 (5): 264- 280, doi: 10.1080/00379271.2016.1259014.
Pinheiro, J. (2006): Decay process of a cadaver, Forensic anthropology and medicine: Complementary sciences from recovery to cause of death - In: Schmitt, A., Cunha, E. & Pinhero, J. (eds): Tottowa NJ, Humana Press Inc., 85-116, doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-099-7_5.
Pirrone, F. & Albertini, M. (2017): Olfactory detection of cancer by trained sniffer dogs: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 19: 105-117, doi: 10.1016/j. jveb.2017.03.004.
Pohjoismäki, J.L.O., Karhunen, P.J., Goebeler, S. et al. (2010): Indoors forensic entomology: Colonization of human remains in closed environments by specific species of sarcosaprophagous flies. Forensic Science International 199 (1-3): 38-42, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.02.033.
Rąkowski, G. & Cymborowski, B. (1981): Aggregation pheromone in Dermestes maculatus: Effects on larval growth and developmental rhythms. International Journal of Invertebrate Reproduction 4 (4): 249-254, doi: 10.1080/01651269.1981. 10553433.
Richardson, M.S. & Goff, M.L. (2001): Effects of temperature and intraspecific interaction on the development of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). Journal of medical entomology 38 (3): 347-351, doi: 10.1603/0022-2585-38.3.347.
Rivers, B.D. & Dahlem, A.G. (2014a): Chemical attraction and communication. The Science of Forensic Entomology, Wiley- Blackwell, 113-130, Hoboken.
Rivers, B.D. & Dahlem, A.G. (2014b): Postmortem decomposition of human remains and vertebrate carrion. The Science of Forensic Entomology, 1st ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 175-192, Hoboken.
Roberts, D.W. (2016): Package “labdsv”.
Rosier, E., Cuypers, E., Dekens, M. et al. (2014): Development and validation of a new TD-GC/MS method and its applicability in the search for human and animal decomposition products Forensic Toxicology. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 406 (15): 3611-3619, doi: 10.1007/s00216-014-7741-8.
Rosier, E., Loix, S., Develter, W. et al. (2015): The search for a volatile human specific marker in the decomposition process. PLoS ONE 10 (9): 1-15, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137341.
Rosier, E., Loix, S., Develter, W. et al. (2016): Time-dependent VOC-profile of decomposed human and animal remains in laboratory environment. Forensic Science International 266: 164- 169, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.05.035.
Salam, H.A., Shaat, E.A.A., Manal, H.A. et al. (2012): Estimation of postmortem interval using thanatochemistry and postmortem changes. Alexandria journal of medicine 48 (4): 335-344, doi: 10.1016/j.ajme.2012.05.004.
Saukko, P. & Knight, B. (2004): The pathophysiology of death. In: Haddor, A. (ed.): Knight’s Forensic pathology, 3rd ed., CRC press, 52-97, Boca Raton.
Schotsmans, E.M.J., Forbes, S.L. & Marquez-Grant, N. (2017): Taphonomy of human remains. Wiley, New-York.
Shiravi, A., Mostafavi, R., Akbarzadeh, K. et al. (2011): Temperature Requirements of Some Common Forensically Important Blow and Flesh Flies (Diptera) under Laboratory Conditions. Iranian Journal of Arthropod-Borne Deseases Arthropod-Borne Diseases 5 (1): 54-62.
Statheropoulos, M., Agapiou, A., Spiliopoulou, C. et al. (2007): Environmental aspects of VOCs evolved in the early stages of human decomposition. Science of the total environment 385 (1-3): 221-227, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.003.
Statheropoulos, M., Agapiou, A., Zorba, E. et al. (2011): Combined chemical and optical methods for monitoring the early decay stages of surrogate human models. Forensic Sci Int 210(1-3): 154-163, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.02.023.
Statheropoulos M, Spiliopoulou C and Agapiou A (2005): A study of volatile organic compounds evolved from the decaying human body. Forensic Science International 153 (2-3): 147- 55, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.015.
Stefanuto, P.-H., Perrault, K.A., Stadler, S. et al. (2015): GC × GC-TOFMS and supervised multivariate approaches to study human cadaveric decomposition olfactive signatures. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 407 (16): 4767-4778, doi: 10.1007/s00216-015-8683-5.
Stefanuto, P.-H., Perrault, K.A., Grabherr, S. et al. (2016): Postmortem internal gas reservoir monitoring using GC×GCHRTOF- MS. Separations 3 (3): 24-37, doi: 10.3390/ separations3030024.
Tarone, A.M. & Foran, D.R. (2006): Components of Developmental Plasticity in a Michigan Population of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae ). Journal of medical entomology 43: 1023- 1033, doi: 10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43.
Tomberlin, J.K. & Adler, H.P. (1998): Seasonal Colonization and Decomposition of Rat Carrion in Water and on Land in an Open Field in South Carolina. Journal of medical entomology 5 (35): 704-709.
Tumram, N.K., Ambade, V.N. & Dongre, A.P. (2014): Thanatochemistry: Study of synovial fluid potassium. Alexandria medical journal 50 (4): 369-372. doi: 10.1016/j. ajme.2014.02.005.
Vass, A.A. (2001): Beyond the grave - understanding human decomposition. Microbiology Today 28: 190-192.
Vass, A.A., Smith, R., Thompson, C. et al. (2004): Decompositional Odor Analysis Database. Journal of Forensic Sciences 49 (4): 1-10.
Vass, A.A., Smith, R., Thompson, C. et al. (2008): Odor analysis of decomposing buried human remains. Journal of Forensic Sciences 53 (2): 384-391, doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008. 00680.x.
Vass, A.A. (2012): Odor mortis. Forensic Science International 222 (1-3): 234-241, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.06.006.
Verheggen, F.J., Perrault, K.A., Caparros, M.R. et al. (2017): The odour of death: An overview of current knowledge on characterization and applications. BioScience (7):600-613, doi: Https:// doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix046.
Visser, J.H. (1986): Host odor perception in phytophagous insects. Annual review of entomology 31: 121-144.