Large carrion beetles (Coleoptera, Silphidae) in Western Europe: a review

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2011), 15(3), 425-437

This review focuses on carrion beetles (Coleoptera, Silphidae) of the Western Palearctic and their potential use in forensic entomology as bioindicators. Few studies have looked at Silphidae in forensic ... [more ▼]

This review focuses on carrion beetles (Coleoptera, Silphidae) of the Western Palearctic and their potential use in forensic entomology as bioindicators. Few studies have looked at Silphidae in forensic context and investigations. However, some Silphidae present the desirable characteristics of some Diptera used in postmortem estimates and thus may extend the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). We review here the taxonomy and distribution of Western Palearctic Silphidae. The anatomical and morphological characteristics of both subfamilies are described for adults and larvae. The biology and ecology of silphids are also summarized for Silphinae and Nicrophorinae. A specific chapter gives an overview of the current uses of Silphidae in forensic entomology as postmortem indicator. [less ▲]

L'entomologie forensique: c'est quoi?

Poster (2010, November 06)

Volatile collection of cadaveric compounds

Poster (2010, October 14)

Thanatochemistry, also named ''chemistry of death'', is poorly studied and the available information regarding the volatile organic compounds (cadaveric VOCs) released after death are rather limited ... [more ▼]

Thanatochemistry, also named ''chemistry of death'', is poorly studied and the available information regarding the volatile organic compounds (cadaveric VOCs) released after death are rather limited. Thanks to the use of analytical chemistry methods ((TDS)GC-MS, GCxGC-TOF-MS), the olfactive signature of a dead body may be studied during the decomposition process. Different volatile collection techniques are used to study the smell of death. There are passive sampling techniques (Radiello® diffusive sampler) and dynamic sampling technique (pump device). The smell of death is constituted by a blend of hundreds of volatile organic compounds which change during the decay process. Main products detected are sulphur compounds such as sulphur dioxide, dimethyldisulfide and dimethyltrisulfide; alcools (1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol), acids (butanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid and propanoic acid). Many cyclic hydrocarbons were detected: indole, phenol, p-cresol and piperidin-2-one are some examples. The aldehydes are also present, overall butanal, hexanal, heptanal and nonanal. We however found no trace of cadaverine or putrescine. Our results may have potential implication in a better understanding of the olfactive signature of a human or animal cadaveric corpse. Especially in the field of forensic entomology, these chemical compounds may have an attractive role on the necrophagous insect behaviour. Further studies based on the relationships that may exist between cadaveric VOCs and necrophagous insects are currently conducted at the Department of functional and evolutionary Entomology (GxABT, Ulg). [less ▲]

The smell of death - a new method to detect buried remains: GCxGC-TOFMS

Conference (2010, September)

Electrophysiological and behavioral activity of selected cadaveric volatile molecules in the greenbottle fly: Lucilia sericata

Poster (2010, September)

Utilité des composés organiques volatils (COVs) émis par les Diptères nécrophages dans l’estimation de l’intervalle post mortem.

Conference (2010, July 09)

L’entomologie forensique s’intéresse à l’étude des insectes et d’autres arthropodes permettant d’estimer la période écoulée entre le décès d’une victime et la découverte du corps, encore appelée ... [more ▼]

L’entomologie forensique s’intéresse à l’étude des insectes et d’autres arthropodes permettant d’estimer la période écoulée entre le décès d’une victime et la découverte du corps, encore appelée intervalle post mortem ou IPM. Actuellement, cet intervalle post mortem est estimé après élevage en laboratoire des œufs, des larves et des pupes des Diptères nécrophages prélevés sur la scène de crime. Afin d’éviter cette mise en élevage, il est possible d’estimer l’âge des pupes de Diptères. A cette fin, nous avons prélevé par microextraction sur phase solide (SPME) les composés organiques volatils émis par les pupes de Diptères tout au long de leur pupaison. Ces composés organiques volatiles sont ensuite analysés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (GC-MS). Ces analyses permettront d’une part d’estimer l’IPM plus justement et d’autre part de visualiser l’évolution des composés organiques volatiles émis par les pupes de Diptères nécrophages au cours de leur pupaison. [less ▲]

Forensic GCxGC-TOFMS study of cadaveric VOCs released by buried decaying pig carcasses

Conference (2010, June)

L’écologie chimique au service de l’entomologie forensique- une nouvelle approche pour caractériser l’écosystème « cadavre »

in Journal des Ingénieurs (Le) (2010), 128

Aujourd'hui vous avez rendez-vous avec la mort: entomologie médico-légale

Conference given outside the academic context (2009)

Entomologie Forensique: les insectes...pièces à conviction?

Article for general public (2009)