A molecular study of contemporary and museum Calliphoridae of forensic importance
Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are commonly the first colonisers of carrion. Forensic entomologists are able to estimate a minimum post-mortem interval by examining the eldest immature stage collected from the scene. For a minimum post-mortem interval estimation to be calculated, developmental data of the species is commonly subtracted from total developmental time. Information regarding events prior to death such as post-mortem relocation, mortuary behaviour and origin can also be determined from collected samples, in particular those from archaeological sites. The information, however, relies on accurate species identification. Currently, several methods are employed on insect samples. These involve both morphological and molecular techniques. With the constant development of molecular genetics, new methods are being developed which show potential for species identification. This thesis examines the use of such techniques on both contemporary and museum-stored insect samples. Deep sequencing technology, nested-PCR and light microscopy were used to examine the utility of a combined approach for the identification of insect samples collected from two sets of mummified remains. In both cases, species identification
Parrott, Jonathan James
Biology
A molecular study of contemporary and museum Calliphoridae of forensic importance. Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are commonly the first colonisers of carrion. Forensic entomologists are able to estimate a minimum post-mortem interval by examining the eldest immature stage collected from the scene. For a minimum post-mortem interval estimation to be calculated, developmental data of the species is commonly subtracted from total developmental time. Information regarding events prior to death such as post-mortem relocation, mortuary behaviour and origin can also be determined from collected samples, in particular those from archaeological sites. The information, however, relies on accurate species identification. Currently, several methods are employed on insect samples. These involve both morphological and molecular techniques. With the constant development of molecular genetics, new methods are being developed which show potential for species identification. This thesis examines the use of such techniques on both contemporary and museum-stored insect samples. Deep sequencing technology, nested-PCR and light microscopy were used to examine the utility of a combined approach for the identification of insect samples collected from two sets of mummified remains. In both cases, species identification
molecular study contemporary museum forensic importance commonly first coloniser forensic able estimate minimum post_mortem interval examine eldest immature stage collect scene minimum post_mortem interval estimation calculate developmental data specie commonly total developmental time information_regard event prior death post_mortem relocation mortuary_behaviour origin also determine collected sample particular archaeological_site information however relies accurate specie_identification currently several method_employ insect sample involve morphological molecular technique constant development molecular genetics new_method develop show potential specie_identification examines use technique contemporary museum insect sample deep technology nested light_microscopy use examine utility combine identification insect sample_collect two_set remains case specie_identification