The importance of Forensic Entomology in Veterinary Forensic Sciences

Abstract

The estimation of post mortem intervall of the death of animals can be as important in a crime as the death of a man. Today, the animal model experiments are becoming indispensable next to the established body farms in Europe. The most typical model animal is the Sus scrofa, which have a different degradation phases compared to the human one’s, thereby Dipteran species of the initial degradation phase creates a different succession pattern, even if only slightly. The model experiments help us to clarify the cause of differences and it also helps the better understanding of the behavior of flies in the human degradation phases.

Full text

Section: Poster
Title: The importance of Forensic Entomology in Veterinary Forensic Sciences
Author: Csaba Bozó
Hungarian Institute for Forensic Sciences, Hungary
Scientifically, the veterinary forensic sciences is closely related to human medicine. Their
Hungarian roots are coming from the 18th century. At the time, the most famous Hungarian vet
was Ferenc Hutÿra in Hungary. He was distinguished by his work on veterinarian pathology in
all of the world, and his work was also prominent in the field of epidemiology, internal
medicine, immunology, serology and virology. The modern perspective and way of thinking
about the human medicine was entrenched by him in the veterinary science [Ferenc Hutÿra:
Törvényszéki Állatorvostan (Title in English: Forensic Veterinary), Budapest, 1908.]. In the
20th century, the Hungarian forensic veterinary had been further developed by Jenő Schwanner
[Jenő Schwanner: Igazságügyi Állatorvostan. (Title in English: Forensic Veterinary) Budapest].
In 21th century, the forensic veterinary is becoming increasingly important in the field of
criminal justice which is continuously evolving. Because new conducts of the perpetrator
appeared which have not previously been named in the Hungarian Criminal Procedure Code,
such as illegal trade of animals, animal abuse, neglect of animal care. The newest legislation
have a growing expectation with regard to the validity of criminal proceedings. In that cases,
the judicial veterinary plays a decisive role. (Order on the protection of animals: Government
Decree 41/2010 (26 March), Section 244 of the Hungarian Criminal Code).
The Hungarian practice is in harmony with the international tendencies. Therefore, in 2016 we
organized conferences in cooperation with Hungarian vets, and the co-organizer of the 13th
EAFE Conference was the Hungarian Veterinarian Society. The organizer of 14th EAFE
conference, Stefano Vanin has recently announced that they have a successful cooperation with
a veterinary company in Italy. Each conference took place under an active involvement of
veterinarians.
The estimation of post mortem intervall of the death of animals can be as important in a crime
as the death of a man. Today, the animal model experiments are becoming indispensable next
to the established body farms in Europe. The most typical model animal is the Sus scrofa, which
have a different degradation phases compared to the human one’s, thereby Dipteran species of
the initial degradation phase creates a different succession pattern, even if only slightly. The
model experiments help us to clarify the cause of differences and it also helps the better
understanding of the behavior of flies in the human degradation phases.