Tiemensma, Marianne, Byard, Roger W., Willan, Richard C., and Winsor, Leigh (2025) Opportunistic post mortem scavenging by the terrestrial flatworm Platydemus manokwari. Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology, 21 (2). pp. 1016-1020.

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Abstract

Post mortem damage by predators varies with geography, climate, and location of cadavers. Frequently encountered facultatively parasitic terrestrial organisms include fly larvae (maggots), ants and beetles. This report describes for the first time opportunistic post mortem damage caused by the terrestrial flatworm Platydemus manokwari de Beauchamp,1963 (New Guinea Flatworm) (phylum Platyhelminthes: order Tricladida: suborder Continenticola: family Geoplanidae) to exposed skin of a body located in a tropical urban location. Several flatworms were attached to the body associated with areas of skin loss. Microscopy showed epidermal damage with no vital reaction and the presence of PAS-positive granules consistent with flatworm secretions. No human DNA profile was recovered with genetic testing of two of the flatworms. This case extends the range of potential post mortem predators to include flatworms, albeit opportunistically.

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