Problems in Estimation of Postmortem Interval Resulting from Wrapping of the Corpse : A Case Study from Hawaii '

J. Agric. Entomol. 9(4):237·243 (October 1992) ABSTRACT The remains of a female were discovered on the island of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, wrapped in two layers of blankets. The Diptera recovered from the remains indicated a postmortem interval of 10.5 d. based on developmental rates for two species of Calliphoridae: Chrysomya mega­ cephala (Fabricius> and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart). It was experimen­ tally determined that the wrapping of the remains in blankets delayed inva­ sion of the remains for oviposition by flies by 2.5 d, thus resulting in a final postmortem interval estimate of 13 d. This estimate was consistent with the circumstances of the case, as the victim had last been seen alive during the afternoon 14 d prior to discovery of the remains.