Forensic Entomology:Identification of fly species for

estimation of Post Mortem Interval (PMI) in UMMC

ParaSEAD Laboratory

Department of Parasitology,

Faculty of Medicine,

University of Malaya,

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Introduction:

• Entomology can be defined is short as a studies on insects.

• Therefore, Forensic Entomology is defined as

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• The use of the insects to aid legal investigations. 

• It is commonly broken down into three general areas:– Medicolegal– Urban and– Stored product

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• Medicolegal focuses on the criminal component of the legal system and deals with feeding insects that typically infest human remains (commonly use to determine time of death).

• Urban aspect deals with the insects that affect man and his immediate environment (relates to interpretation on damage caused).

• Stored product insects are commonly found in foodstuffs (relates to food contamination).

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Maggot

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• What is maggot?

It is one of the stages found in the life-cycle

of fly.

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Life-cycle of fly

Eggs 1st, 2nd, 3rd larvae

Adult fly

(23 hours)

(130 hours)

(143 hours)

pupae 7

Corpse

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Corpse with maggots

Maggots

Maggots

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Corpse in different situations

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• To identify fly species for estimation of PMI (Post-mortem inverval)

Objective

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Materials:

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Fixed sample Alive sample

Transfer into containers with meat

Allow to develop until

L3 stage

Allow to develop until pupa stage

Transfer to develop into adult stage

Sacrifice

Mounted

Slide preparation

Determine species

Determine species

Examine for specific

characteristics

Methods:

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Mounted adult fly

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Slide of maggot

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Anterior Spiracle

Identification of the specific characteristics of the maggot

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1. Measuring the length of larvae

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2. Characterising the anterior spiracle

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3. Characterising the posterior spiracle

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Based on the characteristic of posterior spiracle, the maggot can be grouped as follows:

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Species of maggot identified in Para:SEAD Laboratory (2003-2011)

Results:

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Num

ber o

f sam

ples

species

Number Of Maggots species collected start from 2003 until 2011

Chrysomya megachepala

Chrysomya rufifacies

Chrysomya bezziana

Chrysomya chlorophyga

Chrysomya albiceps

Megaselia scalaris

Sarchophaga spp.

Synthesiomyia nudiseta

Hermetria illucens

Species

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• The number of fly species identified is 9

• The most common species is Chrysomya megachepala (52%) followed by C.rufifacies (21%).

• The least common species are Chrysomya bezziana and Hermetria illucens

Conclusion:

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References:1. A Guide To Medical Entomology Author: M.W service

2. Insect and Forensic Entomology Author : Ian Dadour (Entomologist , University of WA & David Cook (Entomologist, Agriculture WA )

3. Manual of Medical Entomology, Author: Deane P. Furman and Elmar P. Catts

4. Myiasis In Man And Animals In Old Word, Author: F. Zumpt

5. DPDx- CDC Laboratory Identification of Parasites of Public Health concern

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Thank You24