First evidence of forensic entomology revealed the presence of arthropods on rabbit carrion in Cotonou, Benin (West Africa).

Abstract

The study aimed to document the entomofauna of medico-legal importance in Benin, by studying arthropod’s succession pattern on the rabbit carrion and the variation of their density associated with temperature and humidity was also investigated. The study was carried out on the rabbit carrion in Cotonou by the collection of necrophagous arthropods trapped during the stages of decomposition. The identification of arthropods on the basis of their morphological characteristics and their statistical analysis revealed that the orders of Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Aranea were those which colonized the rabbit carrion. With a Simpson Index (Is) of 0.69, Chrysomia sp. was the most abundant arthropod with a maximum of 990 individuals at the bloated stage (p <0.001). Air temperature and relative humidity had significant effects on the numbers of arthropods collected. The present study showed that Diptera can be used for the determination of indices during criminal investigations in Benin.