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McIntyre DB, Dawson BM, Long BM, Barton PS. A review of multi-disciplinary decomposition research and key drivers of variation in decay. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:2181-2192. [PMID: 38622312 PMCID: PMC11306653 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The decomposition of animal remains is a multifaceted process, involving ecological, biological, and chemical interactions. While the complexity is acknowledged through concepts like the necrobiome, it's unclear if this complexity is reflected in research. Appreciation of the complexity of decomposition is crucial for identifying sources of variation in estimations of time since death in medico-legal science, as well as building broader ecological knowledge of the decomposition process. To gain insights into the extent of multidisciplinary research in the field of decomposition science, we conducted an examination of peer-reviewed literature on four key drivers of variation: volatile organic compounds, microbes, drugs/toxins, and insects. Among 650 articles, we identified their scientific discipline, driver/s of variation investigated, and year of publication. We found that 19% explored relationships between two drivers, while only 4% investigated interactions between three. None considered all four drivers. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in decomposition research publications, signifying its growing importance. Most research (79%) was linked to forensic science, highlighting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in decomposition science. Overall, our review underscores the need to incorporate multidisciplinary approaches and theory into contemporary decomposition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna B McIntyre
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
- Graduate Research School, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
| | - Blake M Dawson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Long
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
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Preußer D, Fischer T, Juretzek T. Effects of antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin on the growth of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:805-815. [PMID: 37606156 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Lucilia sericata is one of the most studied species in forensic entomology due to its widespread distribution, forensic importance as well as medical use. The growth and development stage of maggots is often used to determine the post-mortem interval in forensic cases. L. sericata can cause myiasis in humans who are not able to maintain personal hygiene due to age or medical condition and can therefore be used to determine the time period of neglect. The influence of the temperature on the maggot development has been examined in various studies. Different examinations on the effects of toxic substances on the maggot development and survival have been conducted in order to test the influence and resulting deviations. In this study, the effects of different therapeutical doses of the antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin were examined on L. sericata in order to determine and compare deviations in maggot development and survival. The used antibiotics did not significantly influence the maggot weight and length. A significant delay in the time of pupation has been determined in the treatments with high concentrations of levofloxacin. The mortality was significantly increased in all treatments with antibiotics compared to the control, whereby the survivability of all treatments remained over 80%. Because of the high doses needed to produce an effect, we concluded that an overestimation of the post-mortem interval is unlikely but higher antibiotic concentrations or possible interactions with other medications could increase the maggot development time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Preußer
- Chair of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Central Analytical Laboratory, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
- Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Thomas Juretzek
- Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, Cottbus, Germany
- Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, Cottbus, Germany
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McIntyre DB, Conlan X, Harvey ML. The effects of hydrated lime and bleach on carrion decomposition and associated insect succession. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2022.2032342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Donna B. McIntyre
- Deakin University School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Federation University School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Xavier Conlan
- Deakin University School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Harvey
- Deakin University School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Preußer D, Bröring U, Fischer T, Juretzek T. Effects of antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin on the growth of Calliphora vomitoria L. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and effects on the determination of the post-mortem interval. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 81:102207. [PMID: 34214895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The determination of the post-mortem interval (PMI) is one of the main tasks of forensic entomology, where growth and stages of development of arthropods are used for PMI determination. It is well acknowledged that maggot development is significantly influenced by temperature. Attention has also been paid to the microbial populations of the cadaver, because toxic substances contained in the substrate can influence the microorganisms and affect arthropods growth and development. However, little is known about the influence of antibiotics taken during lifetime of a person on insect development after that persons death. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin cause inhibition of growth and delay of pupation of the blow fly Calliphora vomitoria, which would then lead to an incorrect determination of the post-mortem interval in forensic cases. It was found that maggot development was delayed by levofloxacin mixed in minced pork, where a mixture of both antibiotics increased this effect. The maggot growth in the samples with ceftriaxone was not delayed. Pupation was delayed in treatments with a mixture of both antibiotics. The mortality was reduced by separate or combined application of ceftriaxone and levofloxacin, which we attribute to a bactericidal effect of the antibiotics on maggot pathogens. Depending on the concentration of the antibiotics, an underestimation of the post-mortem interval between 24 and 48 h could be suspected. We conclude that antibiotics need to be considered if instar stages are to be used to determine the PMI and that some antibiotics may improve the breeding conditions of maggots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Preußer
- Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Chair of Ecology, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 6, 03046, Cottbus, Germany.
| | - Udo Bröring
- Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Chair of Ecology, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 6, 03046, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Thomas Fischer
- Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Central Analytical Laboratory, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 6, 03046, Cottbus, Germany; Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, Erich-Weinert-Str. 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Thomas Juretzek
- Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, Erich-Weinert-Str. 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany; Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, Thiemstr. 111, 03048, Cottbus, Germany
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Matuszewski S. Post-Mortem Interval Estimation Based on Insect Evidence: Current Challenges. INSECTS 2021; 12:314. [PMID: 33915957 PMCID: PMC8066566 DOI: 10.3390/insects12040314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During death investigations insects are used mostly to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). These estimates are only as good as they are close to the true PMI. Therefore, the major challenge for forensic entomology is to reduce the estimation inaccuracy. Here, I review literature in this field to identify research areas that may contribute to the increase in the accuracy of PMI estimation. I conclude that research on the development and succession of carrion insects, thermogenesis in aggregations of their larvae and error rates of the PMI estimation protocols should be prioritized. Challenges of educational and promotional nature are discussed as well, particularly in relation to the collection of insect evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Matuszewski
- Laboratory of Criminalistics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Święty Marcin 90, 61-809 Poznań, Poland;
- Wielkopolska Centre for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Niederegger S. Technical Note: Effects of Makeshift Storage in Different Liquors on Larvae of the Blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12040312. [PMID: 33915789 PMCID: PMC8065672 DOI: 10.3390/insects12040312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Sometimes, police need to collect fly maggots as evidence. If the proper equipment is not at hand, alternatives might need to be found. This evidence can later be given to a forensic entomologist for further examination. The alternative methods, however, can have unknown effects on the samples. We placed maggots in different alcoholic beverages and measured size changes happening over time to provide experts with such information. Our results show that low alcohol beverages can cause samples to shrink. With knowledge about these specific effects, the samples can still be used for casework in forensic entomology. Abstract Unexpected findings of forensically important insects might prompt makeshift storage in alternative liquids if the proper equipment is lacking. The assessment of whether such evidence can still be used and correctly interpreted can be difficult. In this study, the effects of using alcoholic beverages as storing agents for post-feeding larvae of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata were analyzed. Larvae were killed with boiling water (HWK) or placed alive into four alcoholic liquids: two spirits, vodka and brandy, and two liquors, Jägermeister and peppermint schnapps. Storage effects were documented after one day, nine days, and one month and compared to larvae treated according to guidelines for forensic entomology. Results show that the method of killing larvae is more important than the storing medium. Storage of HWK larvae in high-alcohol/low-sugar spirits had almost negligible effects on both species, while all fresh larvae shrank significantly. High sugar contents of the beverages might additionally lead to shrinkage of larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senta Niederegger
- Department of Forensic Entomology, Institute of Legal Medicine at the University Hospital Jena, 07740 Jena, Germany
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Liu Z, Han H, Chen W, Wang S, Meng F, Cai J, Guo Y. Evaluation of Reference Genes and Age Estimation of Forensically Useful Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae) During Intrapuparial Period. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:47-55. [PMID: 32700732 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) could be evaluated from the developmental stage of forensically important insects colonize a corpse, such as blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Unlike larvae, the developmental stage of which is well established according to their morphology, estimating the age of pupae is proven to be challenging. Recently, several studies reported the regulation of special genes during the development of blow fly pupae. However, gene regulation in Aldrichina grahami during the intrapuparial period remains to be studied. Therefore, we set out to investigate the mRNA levels of heat shock protein 23 (Hsp23), heat shock protein 24 (Hsp24), and 1_16 during the metamorphosis of A. grahami pupae. First, we examined seven candidate reference genes (ribosomal protein 49 (RP49), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA), beta-tubulin at 56D (β-tubulin), Ribosomal protein L23 (RPL23), glutathione S-transferase (GST1), and Actin. Three widely used algorithms (NormFinder, BestKeeper, and geNorm) were applied to evaluate the mRNA levels of reference gene candidates in puparium at three stable temperatures (15, 22, and 27°C). Next, mRNA expression of Hsp23, Hsp24, and 1_16 during A. grahami metamorphosis was examined. We demonstrated that mRNA expression levels of Hsp23, Hsp24, and 1_16 showed time-specific regulation. In summary, our study identified three gene markers for the intrapuparial period of A. grahami and might provide a potential application in PMImin estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoying Liu
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Han Han
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shiwen Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fanming Meng
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jifeng Cai
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Galil FMAA, Zambare SP, Al-Mekhlafi FA, Al-Keridis LA. Effect of dimethoate on the developmental rate of forensic importance Calliphoridae flies. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 28:1267-1271. [PMID: 33613056 PMCID: PMC7878685 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Forensic entomotoxicology has grown to impact judicial systems in developed countries. Where the use of insects and maggots as samples in death investigations as an alternative technique, especially following degradation or loss of the conventionally used samples. Carrion flies feed on dead bodies and may ingest toxic substances found in the dead body, especially when the body was poisoned before death. The knowledge of how the chemicals interact with the insect following ingestion is crucial to forensic entomotoxicologists. The study investigated the impact of dimethoate on the life cycle of four species of Calliphoridae flies, namely Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya saffranea, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya indiana. Various concentrations of dimethoate (1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm and 4 ppm) were utilized in the study. The rate of development of the carrion flies showed a negative correlation with the concentration of the chemical. This paper glares at the impact of the chemicals may pose to the insects, and how analysis of such impacts can guide forensic investigations of poisoning and help the investigators to solve the crime puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahd Mohammed Abd Al Galil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bisha, P.O. Box: 551, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Thamar University, Yemen
| | | | - Fahd A Al-Mekhlafi
- Bioproducts Research Chair, Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Thamar University, Yemen
| | - Lamya Ahmed Al-Keridis
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Moore EL, Scott MA, Rodriguez SD, Mitra S, Vulcan J, Cordova JJ, Chung HN, Linhares Lino de Souza D, Gonzales KK, Hansen IA. An online survey of personal mosquito-repellent strategies. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5151. [PMID: 30002979 PMCID: PMC6034598 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquito repellents can be an effective method for personal protection against mosquito bites that are a nuisance and carry the risk of transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens like plasmodia, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and Zika virus. A multitude of commercially available products are currently on the market, some of them highly effective while others have low or no efficacy. Many home remedies of unknown efficacy are also widely used. Methods We conducted a survey study to determine what kind of mosquito repellents and other mosquito control strategies people use. Our online survey was focused on unconventional methods and was answered by 5,209 participants. Results The majority of participants resided in the United States, were female (67%), had higher education (81% had a university degree), and were 18 to 37 years old (50%). The most commonly used repellent was DEET spray (48%), followed closely by citronella candles (43%) and ‘natural’ repellent sprays (36%). We collected a plethora of home remedies and other strategies people use that warrant further research into their effectiveness. Discussion Our study lays the foundation for future research in alternative, unconventional methods to repel mosquitoes that may be culturally acceptable and accessible for people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Lucille Moore
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Mary Alice Scott
- Department of Anthropology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Stacy Deadra Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Soumi Mitra
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Julia Vulcan
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Joel Javierla Cordova
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Hae-Na Chung
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | | | - Kristina Kay Gonzales
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
| | - Immo Alex Hansen
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America.,Institute for Applied Biosciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States of America
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Matuszewski S, Frątczak-Łagiewska K. Size at emergence improves accuracy of age estimates in forensically-useful beetle Creophilus maxillosus L. (Staphylinidae). Sci Rep 2018; 8:2390. [PMID: 29402934 PMCID: PMC5799346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects colonizing human or animal cadavers may be used to estimate post-mortem interval (PMI) usually by aging larvae or pupae sampled on a crime scene. The accuracy of insect age estimates in a forensic context is reduced by large intraspecific variation in insect development time. Here we test the concept that insect size at emergence may be used to predict insect physiological age and accordingly to improve the accuracy of age estimates in forensic entomology. Using results of laboratory study on development of forensically-useful beetle Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Staphylinidae) we demonstrate that its physiological age at emergence [i.e. thermal summation value (K) needed for emergence] fall with an increase of beetle size. In the validation study it was found that K estimated based on the adult insect size was significantly closer to the true K as compared to K from the general thermal summation model. Using beetle length at emergence as a predictor variable and male or female specific model regressing K against beetle length gave the most accurate predictions of age. These results demonstrate that size of C. maxillosus at emergence improves accuracy of age estimates in a forensic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szymon Matuszewski
- Laboratory of Criminalistics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Św. Marcin 90, 61-809, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Frątczak-Łagiewska
- Laboratory of Criminalistics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Św. Marcin 90, 61-809, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
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