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Cited by 56Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesDiptera species taxonomy and behaviorForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies

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Contrasting insect activity and decomposition of pigs and humans in an Australian environment: A preliminary study

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Dawson, Blake M., Barton, Philip S., Wallman, James F.·2020·Forensic Science International
DOI 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110515
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Abstract

Non-human vertebrate animals, primarily domestic pigs, have been widely used in forensic science research as analogues for humans due to ethical and logistical constraints. Yet the suitability of pigs to mimic human decomposition and entomological patterns remains largely untested, and explicit comparative research in this area is lacking. We compared the decomposition rates and insect communities found at pig and human remains during summer and winter at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). Pigs decomposed faster than humans, with pigs entering active decay earlier in both summer and winter, and humans undergoing desiccation rather than skeletonisation. There was also a delay in the colonisation of humans by both flies and beetles. Species richness of these necrophagous taxa was between two and five times higher during the first two weeks of decomposition on pigs compared to humans during both summer and winter. Insect species composition was also significantly different between pigs and humans in each season. We interpret our findings to mean that the difference between humans and pigs, such as their mass, diet, medical history, or their microbiomes, might be causing different decomposition processes and altered timing or production of chemical cues for insect colonisation. Although preliminary, our results suggest that pigs might not be accurate substitutes for humans in particular fields of taphonomy and forensic entomology. Our findings a…

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Metadata

Authors
Dawson, B. M., Barton, P. S., & Wallman, J. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • Federation University (AU)
  • University of Technology Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Dawson, Blake M.
ORCID
Venue
Forensic Science International
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-11
Volume
316
Pages
110515
ISSN
0379-0738 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110515
OpenAlex
W3087698201
Cited by
56
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9
FWCI
4.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Forensic Science International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • FedUni ResearchOnline (Federation University Australia) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Wollongong
  • Australian Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
Keywords
human remains decomposition, necrophagous insects, forensic entomology, decomposition rate, insect species richness, taphonomy
MeSH terms
Forensic Entomology, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Australia, Coleoptera, Diptera, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postmortem Changes, Seasons, Swine, Temperature

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