Substrate Moisture Affects the Development of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae): An Implication of the Growth Circumstances of the Fly in Forensic Entomology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-Quan Ong ◽  
Hamdan Ahmad ◽  
Eng Hua Tan
PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bortolini ◽  
Giorgia Giordani ◽  
Fabiola Tuccia ◽  
Lara Maistrello ◽  
Stefano Vanin

Species identification is a crucial step in forensic entomology. In several cases the calculation of the larval age allows the estimation of the minimum Post-Mortem Interval (mPMI). A correct identification of the species is the first step for a correct mPMI estimation. To overcome the difficulties due to the morphological identification especially of the immature stages, a molecular approach can be applied. However, difficulties in separation of closely related species are still an unsolved problem. Sequences of 4 different genes (COI, ND5, EF-1α, PER) of 13 different fly species collected during forensic experiments (Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia illustris, Lucilia caesar, Chrysomya albiceps, Phormia regina, Cynomya mortuorum, Sarcophaga sp., Hydrotaea sp., Fannia scalaris, Piophila sp., Megaselia scalaris) were evaluated for their capability to identify correctly the species. Three concatenated sequences were obtained combining the four genes in order to verify if longer sequences increase the probability of a correct identification. The obtained results showed that this rule does not work for the species L. caesar and L. illustris. Future works on other DNA regions are suggested to solve this taxonomic issue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 793-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szymon Matuszewski ◽  
Martin J. R. Hall ◽  
Gaétan Moreau ◽  
Kenneth G. Schoenly ◽  
Aaron M. Tarone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Zanthé Kotzé ◽  
Sylvain Aimar ◽  
Jens Amendt ◽  
Gail S. Anderson ◽  
Luc Bourguignon ◽  
...  

Forensic practitioners analyzing entomological evidence are faced with numerous challenges when presenting their findings to law practitioners, particularly in terms of terminology used to describe insect age, what this means for colonization time of remains, and the limitations to estimates made. Due to varying legal requirements in different countries, there is no standard format for the entomological case report prepared, nor any guidelines as to the sections that are required, optional or unnecessary in a case report. The authors herein propose sections that should be considered when drafting an entomological case report. The criteria under which entomological evidence is analyzed are discussed, as well as the limitations for each criterion. The concept of a global, standardized entomological case report is impossible to achieve due to national legislative differences, but the authors here propose a basic template which can be adapted and changed according to the needs of the practitioner. Furthermore, while the discussion is fairly detailed, capturing all differences between nations could not be accomplished, and those initiating casework for the first time are encouraged to engage other practicing forensic entomologists or professional associations within their own nation or region, to ensure a complete report is generated that meets lab or national requirements, prior to generating a finalized report.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Yinghui Wang ◽  
Man Wang ◽  
Wang Xu ◽  
Yanan Zhang ◽  
...  

While the earliest record of forensic entomology originated in China, related research did not start in China until the 1990s. In this paper, we review the recent research progress on the species identification, temperature-dependent development, faunal succession, and entomological toxicology of sarcosaprophagous insects as well as common applications of forensic entomology in China. Furthermore, the difficulties and challenges forensic entomologists face in China are analyzed and possible countermeasures are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehizonomhen S. Okonofua ◽  
Kayode H. Lasisi ◽  
Eguakhide Atikpo

AbstractLand farming technique was used to treat hydrocarbon contaminated soil collected from a crude oil spill sites in Edo State, Nigeria. Calibrated standard auger was used to collect soil samples from the site at depth below 30 cm. The samples were characterized and classified. Cow dung and NPK fertilizer were added as additives to complement the nutriments of the soil samples before total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) quantification and remediation procedures. Factorial design was applied to vary the input parameters such as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning times of land farming so to ascertain the optimal conditions for the procedure. The result revealed that the in-situ TPH value was 5000 mg kg− 1 on the average and after 90 d of treatment, TPH reduced to 646 mg kg− 1. The turning rate, pH, moisture content and mass of substrate hade 83, 4.36, 0.48 and 0.046% contribution, respectively, for the degradation process using land farming treatment. Numerical optimization techniques applied in the optimum point for land farming input parameters to achieve predicted maximum removal of 99% were evaluated as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning rate to be 6.01, 1 kg, 10% and 5 times in a week, respectively. TPH removed at this optimum point was 98% reducing from 5000 to 636 mg kg− 1. The high coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.9865) as observed in the closeness of predicted and experimental values reflects the reliability of the model and hence, land farming practice with close attention on turning rate as revealed by this study, is recommended for TPH contaminated soil remediation.


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