Use of entomotoxicology in estimating post-mortem interval and determining cause of death

2017 ◽  
Vol 295 ◽  
pp. 56-63
Author(s):  
Joanna Stojak ◽  

Entomotoxicology allows the estimation of the post-mortem interval and the determination of the cause of death in cases in which the corpse has decomposed and the tissues necessary for toxicological analysis are no longer available. Obtaining information about toxic substances potentially present in the body is possible by isolation of larvae and pupae of true flies (Diptera) and/or adult forms of, e.g., beetles (Coleoptera) present on or near the corpse. This article was intended to summarize the current knowledge in the field of entomotoxicology, including examples from the literature, and to present the impact of selected toxic substances and medicines on the development of necrophagous larvae of insects.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Tozzo ◽  
Salvatore Scrivano ◽  
Matteo Sanavio ◽  
Luciana Caenazzo

The determination of the post-mortal interval (PMI) is an extremely discussed topic in the literature and of deep forensic interest, for which various types of methods have been proposed. The aim of the manuscript is to provide a review of the studies on the post-mortem DNA degradation used for estimating PMI. This review has been performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the PRISMA Guidelines. Several analytical techniques have been proposed to analyse the post-mortem DNA degradation in order to use it to estimate the PMI. Studies focused mainly on animal models and on particular tissues. The results have been mixed: while on the one hand literature data in this field have confirmed that in the post-mortem several degradation processes involve nucleic acids, on the other hand some fundamental aspects are still little explored: the influence of ante and post-mortem factors on DNA degradation, the feasibility and applicability of a multiparametric mathematical model that takes into account DNA degradation and the definition of one or more target organs in order to standardize the results on human cases under standard conditions.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11102
Author(s):  
Vanessa Martínez-Rivera ◽  
Christian A. Cárdenas-Monroy ◽  
Oliver Millan-Catalan ◽  
Jessica González-Corona ◽  
N. Sofia Huerta-Pacheco ◽  
...  

Background The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since the dead of an individual until the body is found, which is relevant for forensic purposes. The miRNAs regulate the expression of some genes; and due to their small size, they can better support degradation, which makes them suitable for forensic analysis. In the present work, we evaluated the gene expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p in skeletal muscle in a murine model at the early PMI. Methods We designed a rat model to evaluate the early PMI under controlled conditions. This model consisted in 25 rats divided into five groups of rats, that correspond to the 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of PMI. The 0 h-PMI was considered as the control group. Muscle samples were taken from each rat to analyze the expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p by quantitative RT-PCR. The gene expression of each miRNA was expressed as Fold Change (FC) and compared among groups. To find the targets of these miRNAs and the pathways where they participate, we performed an in-silico analysis. From the gene targets of miR-381-3p identified in the silico analysis, the EPC1 gene was selected for gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR in these samples. Also, to evaluate if miR-381-3p could predict the early PMI, a mixed effects model was calculated using its gene expression. Results An upregulation of miR-381-3p was found at 24 h-PMI compared with the control group of 0 h-PMI and (FC = 1.02 vs. FC = 1.96; p = 0.0079). This was the opposite for miR-23b-3p, which had a down-regulation at 24 h-PMI compared to 0 h-PMI (FC = 1.22 vs. FC = 0.13; p = 0.0079). Moreover, the gene expression of miR-381-3p increased throughout the first 24 h of PMI, contrary to miR-23b-3p. The targets of these two miRNAs, participate in biological pathways related to hypoxia, apoptosis, and RNA metabolism. The gene expression of EPC1 was found downregulated at 3 and 12 h of PMI, whereas it remained unchanged at 6 h and 24 h of PMI. Using a multivariate analysis, it was possible to predict the FC of miR-381-3p of all but 6 h-PMI analyzed PMIs. Discussion The present results suggest that miR-23b-3p and miR-381-3p participate at the early PMI, probably regulating the expression of some genes related to the autolysis process as EPC1 gene. Although the miR-381-3p gene expression is a potential estimator of PMI, further studies will be required to obtain better estimates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Md Golam Mostafa ◽  
Mst Shahanaz Parvin Shobha ◽  
Anjuman Ara ◽  
Saadia Ahmad

The post-mortem interval (PMI) of a jungle cat (Felis chaus) and a chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) were estimated as a mammalian and an avian model, respectively. The estimations were performed adopting the Accumulated Degree Hours (ADH) method using blowfly, Lucilia sericata. The required developmental time from oviposition to the 3rd instar larvae of the blowfly species was considered for the determination of PMI in each of the study. The results revealed that the calculated PMI of jungle cat was 5.29 days. On the other hand, the estimated PMI of the chicken was 2.83 days. The difference of these two PMIs in two different models might be due to the variation of temperatures and other related factors in the development of the larvae of the blowfly species. This study might offer a new approach in the medico-legal investigations with a view to resolving homicide as well as other suspected death of animals including wildlife in Bangladesh. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 9(1 & 2): 49-58, 2020 (June & December)


2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
PIOTR LISTOS ◽  
MAGDALENA GRYZIŃSKA ◽  
JUSTYNA BATKOWSKA ◽  
MAŁGORZATA DYLEWSKA ◽  
KATARZYNA CZEPIEL-MIL

Precisely determined time of death is one of the most important pieces of information obtained during a post-mortem investigation. There are several traditional methods for determining time of death, the most important of which are evaluation of early post-mortem changes, such as the change in body temperature. The study was aimed at identifying insects collected from the body and establishing the time of death by observing the developmental cycle of the indicator species Calliphora vicina. The material for the main experiment was the carcass of a dog. The length of the developmental cycles of insects depends on ambient conditions, so studies should take as many criteria as possible into account. Succession of arthropods, as well as the species composition and indicator insects of particular stages of decomposition, is very similar in human and animal carcasses. The results obtained were considered with respect to the time that had passed since the death of the animal. Experiments on dog carcasses may in the future contribute to the development of research enabling determination of the time of death of animals, which is a subject of increasing interest in forensic veterinary medicine....


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyatida Prakobsrikul ◽  
Smith Srisont ◽  
Artit Jinawath ◽  
Manee Boonkrem

Introduction This study investigated variables associated with methamphetamine-related deaths in Thailand. Methods This study used data obtained from methamphetamine-related autopsy cases over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. From the data available during this period, considered variables included: demographic, toxicological and histopathological profiles. Methamphetamine blood concentration calculations and myoglobin immunostainings in kidney samples were also carried out. Statistical analysis and tests of significance were conducted using a paired-sample t-test, adopting a p-value of 0.05. Results A total of 61 methamphetamine-related cases were reviewed. Of several pathological findings, cardiovascular pathological findings were the most common. Cases were divided into a non-trauma group ( n = 19; 31.15%) and a trauma group ( n  =  42; 68.85%), and it was found that methamphetamine blood concentrations of non-trauma cases were largely in therapeutic ranges. The differences between methamphetamine concentrations of trauma and non-trauma groups were not statistically significant ( p > 0.05). Immunostainings for myoglobin in kidney samples were positive in two non-trauma cases, which is suggestive of methamphetamine-induced rhabdomyolysis. Conclusions Methamphetamine intoxication causes cardiac toxicity and can cause death. However, methamphetamine quantitation, autopsy findings and scene investigations are considered altogether in determination of cause of death due to many factors such as drug tolerances. Myoglobin immunostaining was found to be a useful tool in determining cause of death.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy W. C. Man ◽  
Huige Li ◽  
Ning Xia

Healthy lifestyle and diet are associated with significant reduction in risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress and the imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants are linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Changes in antioxidant capacity of the body may lead to oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. Diet is an important source of antioxidants, while exercise offers many health benefits as well. Recent findings have evidenced that diet and physical factors are correlated to oxidative stress. Diet and physical factors have debatable roles in modulating oxidative stress and effects on the endothelium. Since endothelium and oxidative stress play critical roles in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, dietary and physical factors could have significant implications on prevention of the diseases. This review is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge on the impact of diet manipulation and physical factors on endothelium and oxidative stress, focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We discuss the friend-and-foe role of dietary modification (including different diet styles, calorie restriction, and nutrient supplementation) on endothelium and oxidative stress, as well as the potential benefits and concerns of physical activity and exercise on endothelium and oxidative stress. A fine balance between oxidative stress and antioxidants is important for normal functions in the cells and interfering with this balance may lead to unfavorable effects. Further studies are needed to identify the best diet composition and exercise intensity.


Author(s):  
A. V. Fomichev ◽  
A. E. Sosyukin ◽  
E. V. Malysheva ◽  
V. S. Litvinсev ◽  
N. V. Lapina ◽  
...  

Research of the last decade, which revealed the relationship of various socially significant diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, etc.) with the impact of heavy metals on the human body, stimulates modern science to create drugs that can quickly and safely remove these toxic substances from the body. The article presents a review of studies on the effectiveness of heavy metal adsorption by modern enterosorbents officially registered in the Russian Federation as drugs. The prospects of using non-starch polysaccharides, which are part of modern biologically active additives, in order to create new medicinal substances for the elimination of heavy metals that pose a threat to public health are indicated.


2021 ◽  
pp. 582-587
Author(s):  
I.V. Goloviznin ◽  
A.V. Ryzhakova

Chocolate is the most staple and consumed confectionery product in Russia and the world. The determination of the beneficial properties of such a product as chocolate is an important and regular process of food institutions in every country, since new lines of already well-known manufacturers and new manufacturers with an innovative assortment are added to the retail assortment. Today, it is very relevant and important to understand the impact of new products on human health. In this regard, in order to provide complete information on a specific product, it is necessary to know its composition, ingredients and their effect on the body separately and within the framework of a specific product. Along with its beneficial properties, chocolate can also affect health negatively. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of the effect of chocolate on human health when consumed and to assess the risks that may arise subsequently after its active consumption.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
V. Bulgakov ◽  
I. Golovach ◽  
V. Adamchuk

Aim. The elaboration of the theory of the impact of the vibrational digging-out working tool on the body of the beetroot, attached to the soil, and the substantiation of the rational kinematic and constructive parameters of the advanced vibrational digging-out working tool on the basis of the results obtained. Methods. The main provisions of advanced mathematics and theoretical mechanics were used, in particular, the general theory of mechanical impact and the oscillation theory. The equation systems obtained were solved using PC and the elaborated programme. Results. The main provisions of the theory of the impact of the digging-out working tool on the beetroot while extracting the latter from the soil were elaborated. The mathematical model of the impact interaction of the digging-out working tool and the body of the beetroot, attached to the soil, during the vibrational digging-out of sugar beets was created. The equations, describing the mentioned process, were used as a basis for the impact impulse and the impact force; the conditions of not damaging the beetroot during the impact were established. The analytic expression for the determination of the allowed frequency of vibra- tions of the working vibrational digging-out tool with the consideration of its constructive parameters and the translational motion was obtained. The estimates, obtained using PC calculations, allow designing advanced working vibrational digging-out tools to harvest sugar beets, taking the condition of avoiding damage to the root into account. Conclusions. The analytic expression for the determination of the allowed frequency of vibrations of the vibrational digging-out working tool, taking into account its constructive parameters and the translational motion, was obtained taking the condition of avoiding damage to the root into consideration. The algorithm and the PC analysis programme for the allowed frequency of oscillations of the vibrational digging- out working tool with the consideration of no damage to the beetroot during the impact interaction were elabo- rated. Numerous PC estimates demonstrated that on condition of the mentioned weight of the working tool of m = 1.0 kg the allowed frequency, at which there is no damage to the beetroot, should not exceed v = 10.0 hertz (with the oscillation amplitude of a = 0.015 m and the maximum depth of the digging-out working tool in the soil of h = 0.1 m). Here the translational motion should be in the range of 1.3 ... 2.2 m/s. The obtained results of the theoretical research allow designing advanced vibrational digging-out working tools to harvest sugar beets without damaging them.


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