Abstract:
Field studies on exposed rabbit carcasses were carried out over 14 days in two different
residential areas in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Tok Jembal, Kuala Terengganu
and Lundang, Kota Bharu) to determine the diversity of Diptera, to estimate post mortem
interval based on the succession pattern and body length development and also the
climatological factors that affects them over different stages of decomposition. Five
stages of decomposition were recognized in the study consisting of fresh, bloated, decay,
post decay and skeletal. Present dipteran inventory revealed six families of Diptera,
which consisted of Calliphoridae, Sarchophagidae, Muscidae, Stratiomyidae, Phoridae
and Sepsidae. A total of 12 genus and species with all of them have forensic importance
were successfully recorded. One unidentified species was present singly at a very
restricted time during post decay stage. Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae were
among the early arrival found on carcass. The number of species present in the
succession series increased from the fresh stage reached a maximum in the decay stage
and gradually declined towards post decay stage.
