Estimation of postmortem interval using the blowfly Phaenicia (Lucilia) sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria

Background: The period of insect activity (PIA) was experimentally estimated for a carcass of Cavia porcellus (guinea pig) using the blowfly Phaenicia sericata in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.Methods: Cavia porcellus (guinea pig) was killed and the carcass placed inside in a wire cage measuring 81x53x45 cm to prevent larger animals and birds from scavenging and allowed to decompose under ambient conditions and an average of 12hour light and darkness.Results: Six second-instar larvae of blowflies were collected from the decomposing carcass from which four adult flies emerged and identified (two each of P.  sericata and P. infernalis). Using P. sericata, the period of insect activity (PIA) was estimated as the difference between the total development time of the species and the time it required to become adult in the laboratory. The estimated minimum post mortem interval was 13.8 days with the probable day of oviposition between 9th and 10th January, 2016, coinciding with the actual period the animal was killedConclusions: Estimated time between death and discovery of corpse (PMI) based on the period of insect activity (PIA) may be a better alternative in some situations because it eliminate taking multiple temperature measurements at the crime scene, at the carcass as well in the maggot masses on the cadaver.

Passive surveillance of communicable diseases among inmates of Jos central prison, Nigeria

Background: This paper presents a comprehensive study of the disease profile among inmates of Jos prison, Nigeria.  Methods: Blood samples were examined using Giemsa-stained thin and thick smears for Plasmodium parasites determine and stat-pak was employed to detect antibodies against HIV types I and II, sputum samples were stained by Ziehl-Nelson method and examined for acid fast Bacilli. Intestinal parasites were identified and characterized from stool samples using normal saline and lugol’s iodine method and subsequently formal-ether concentration and Kato-katz technique.Results: Out of 132 inmates that presented themselves for medical treatment at the prison clinic, eighty-nine (67.4%) (95% CI=62.4-72.4) were infected with various pathogenic agents, namely Plasmodium parasites (37.1%), intestinal parasites (14.4%), human immunodeficiency virus (11.4%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.5%). The parasites occurred both as mono and mixed-double and triple infections. Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum predominates with 65.3% (32/49) while non-falciparum species had 20.4% due to P. malariae (16.3%) and P. vivax (4.1%). Intestinal parasites accounted for 14.4% (95% CI=9.4-19.4) of the infections comprising five species, with Entamoeba hystolytica dorminating (57.9%) and Strogyloides stercoralis rare (4.8%). Of the co-infection, the highest combination was Plasmodium + HIV (35.3%). Fifteen inmates had HIV virus (16.5%) and 6 (6.6%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The age group 1-40 years recorded 93.3% and 100% of the HIV and tuberculosis infections respectively. Eleven deaths were recorded 4 years preceding this survey from various causes including HIV and septicemia.Conclusions: The study concludes that Nigerian prisons pose a serious threat as reservoir of diseases to the nation

Estimating minimum post-mortem interval in a Nigerian murder case using Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Caliphoridae): The first use of forensic entomology

Introduction: This paper presents the first application of forensic entomology in a murder investigation in Nigeria involving the remains of a 54-years victim, on January 9th, 2019 in a shaded wooded area in advanced decomposition, with no clear indication of the time of death. Objectives: To estimate the minimum post-mortem interval of a 54-year-old corpse recovered in the advanced decomposition stage using the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala and the Advance-Degree-day (ADD) method.Results: An autopsy report revealed multiple wounds to the forehead including a bullet hole. Dead embalmed dead maggots recovered from the body were identified as C. megacephala, and an accumulated degree-day model was used to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval. The findings revealed that the recovered larvae were still within the third-instar stage and had accumulated thermal energy between 58 hours (= 1.6 days, equivalent to 38.7 ADD) and 102 hours (= 2.8 days, equivalent to 68.0 ADD), suggesting that the body may have been exposed to insect activity between January 1st and 9th January 2019 after expanding the range to cater for some uncertainties. Conclusion: In this Nigerian murder case, forensic entomology used the calliphorid species C. megacephala to estimate the minPMI to be between 2 and 9 days before the body was discovered, which translates to 1st - 9th January 2019 after consideration of some uncertainties and limitations. This confirmed the crucial role that insects play in providing valuable evidence to complement forensic pathological findings in homicides when conventional methods failed. Notwithstanding difficulties with employing insect evidence in forensic investigations in Nigeria, the application of this modern forensic technique has the potential to aid in the resolution of many unsolved murder cases and expedite the delivery of justice. The ability of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to use the potential of insects in criminal investigations can be improved through collaborations and training with professionals from diverse professions

Passive surveillance of communicable diseases among inmates of Jos central prison, Nigeria

Background: This paper presents a comprehensive study of the disease profile among inmates of Jos prison, Nigeria. Methods: Blood samples were examined using Giemsa-stained thin and thick smears for Plasmodium parasites determine and stat-pak was employed to detect antibodies against HIV types I and II, sputum samples were stained by Ziehl-Nelson method and examined for acid fast Bacilli. Intestinal parasites were identified and characterized from stool samples using normal saline and lugol's iodine method and subsequently formal-ether concentration and Kato-katz technique. Results: Out of 132 inmates that presented themselves for medical treatment at the prison clinic, eighty-nine (67.4%) (95% CI=62.4-72.4) were infected with various pathogenic agents, namely Plasmodium parasites (37.1%), intestinal parasites (14.4%), human immunodeficiency virus (11.4%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.5%). The parasites occurred both as mono and mixed-double and triple infections. Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum predominates with 65.3% (32/49) while non-falciparum species had 20.4% due to P. malariae (16.3%) and P. vivax (4.1%). Intestinal parasites accounted for 14.4% (95% CI=9.4-19.4) of the infections comprising five species, with Entamoeba hystolytica dorminating (57.9%) and Strogyloides stercoralis rare (4.8%). Of the co-infection, the highest combination was Plasmodium + HIV (35.3%). Fifteen inmates had HIV virus (16.5%) and 6 (6.6%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The age group 1-40 years recorded 93.3% and 100% of the HIV and tuberculosis infections respectively. Eleven deaths were recorded 4 years preceding this survey from various causes including HIV and septicemia. Conclusions: The study concludes that Nigerian prisons pose a serious threat as reservoir of diseases to the nation. [Int J Res Med Sci 2016; 4(5.000): 1366-1374