A comparative study of decomposition and associated insects on pig carcasses buried at 40 and 80 cm depths

Forensic entomology is a branch of science that uses insects as evidence in medicolegal investigations as they could provide valuable information regarding the cause and time since death specially in the case of buried bodies. The present study was the first attempt in India to compare the decomposition and associated insects on pig carcasses above the ground and those buried at two different depths (40 and 80 cm) during spring season over two consecutive years. Two pigs were buried at each depth and one pig carcass was placed above the ground. One of the buried carcasses was exhumed frequently and other one was kept undisturbed to investigate the decomposition rate and insect access to the carcass. The rate of decomposition was found to be faster above the ground as compared to the buried environment. Also, the carcass buried at 80 cm depth exhibited slower decomposition rates and had limited insect activity as compared to the one buried at 40 cm. Species within the Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae families were dominant on the surface-exposed carcass, whereas Phoridae were more prevalent on the buried carcasses even at a depth of 80 cm. The findings of the study highlights the significant influence of burial depth and exhumation on decomposition rate and insect arrival and colonization.