Use of chemical and visual cues by necrophilous insects in detection and orientation to fetal Sus scrofa domesticus

The process of human decomposition involves the degradation of tissue by microbes, enzymes, and insects. Volatile compounds are released as byproducts of these processes. We used headspace collection to trap volatiles from different stages of decomposition for subsequent identification with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differences were explored throughout the decomposition process from the fresh stage to the skeletal remains stage. The chemical profiles were compared to the observed insect succession on the body, with particular focus on arrival times of different species. An analysis of visual host finding cues was also performed by comparing the fauna on exposed pigs and on visually obscured pigs.