The utility of barnacles in forensic investigations

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Aging blow fly pupae using hyperspectral imaging

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A global study of forensically significant calliphorids: implications for identification

A proliferation of molecular studies of the forensically significant Calliphoridae in the last decade has seen molecule-based identification of immature and damaged specimens become a routine complement to traditional morphological identification as a preliminary to the accurate estimation of post-mortem intervals (PMI), which depends on the use of species-specific developmental data. Published molecular studies have tended to focus on generating data for geographically localised communities of species of importance, which has limited the consideration of intraspecific variation in species of global distribution. This study used phylogenetic analysis to assess the species status of 27 forensically important calliphorid species based on 1167 base pairs of the COI gene of 119 specimens from 22 countries, and confirmed the utility of the COI gene in identifying most species. The species Lucilia cuprina, Chrysomya megacephala, Ch. saffranea, Ch. albifrontalis and Calliphora stygia were unable to be monophyletically resolved based on these data. Identification of phylogenetically young species will require a faster-evolving molecular marker, but most species could be unambiguously characterised by sampling relatively few conspecific individuals if they were from distant localities. Intraspecific geographical variation was observed within Ch. rufifacies and L. cuprina, and is discussed with reference to unrecognised species

Signalling plasticity and energy saving in a tropical bushcricket

Males of the tropical bushcricket Mecopoda elongata synchronize their acoustic advertisement signals (chirps) in interactions with other males. However, synchrony is not perfect and distinct leader and follower roles are often maintained. In entrainment experiments in which conspecific signals were presented at various rates, chirps displayed as follower showed notable signal plasticity. Follower chirps were shortened by reducing the number and duration of syllables, especially those of low and medium amplitude. The degree of shortening depended on the time delay between leader and follower signals and the sound level of the entraining stimulus. The same signal plasticity was evident in male duets, with the effect that the last syllables of highest amplitude overlapped more strongly. Respiratory measurements showed that solo singing males producing higher chirp rates suffered from higher metabolic costs compared to males singing at lower rates. In contrast, respiratory rate was rather constant during a synchronous entrainment to a conspecific signal repeated at various rates. This allowed males to maintain a steady duty cycle, associated with a constant metabolic rate. Results are discussed with respect to the preference for leader signals in females and the possible benefits males may gain by overlapping their follower signals in a chorus

Forensic entomologists: An evaluation of their status

The National Academy of Sciences (2009) published a review charting several key recommendations on strengthening the forensic sciences as an entity as part of an initiative put forth by the USA Congress to streamline and improve the quality of the forensic sciences and their impact on the judiciary process. Although the review was not totally inclusive, many of its sentiments have permeated into all the forensic sciences. The following paper is designed to determine who is practicing the science of forensic entomology, and in what capacity, by questioning practicing forensic entomologists about the type of education obtained, their countries' standards and accreditation processes, as well as general demographic information such as age and gender. A 28-question survey was sent out to 300 forensic entomologists worldwide in 2009. Of the 70 respondents, 80% had a formal education (either Masters or PhD), and 66% published their research. Approximately 50% of respondents were involved in the delivery of expert evidence and writing up case reports, and countries were actively involved with accrediting personnel, facilities, and entomology kits. Many discrepancies within the reported practices and accreditation processes highlight the need for the adoption of a standard code of practice among forensic entomologists

Survival of Blow fly pupae after submergence in fresh, salt, and polluted water

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Effect of cooling on different densities of larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Following a homicide the regulation of forensic practice in many countries prevents the pathologist performing an immediate autopsy. Preceding each autopsy the corpse and the insects associated with it are stored in a cool room in a mortuary (4°C) to slow down the decomposition process as well as the development of most of the necrophagous insects associated with the corpse. In late stages of decay, fly immatures may be present in masses. The aim of this research was to investigate the growth and development of different larval masses of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) when stored in a cold environment (4°C). The experiments were divided into a number of trials comprising different storage conditions (continuous exposure or cyclic exposure) for immature stages (L2 and L3) and included four different densities of larvae (100, 500, 1000, 5000 larvae) each placed on 3kg of liver. L. sericata adults were first established in colony and allowed to complete one generation prior to each experiment. Results show that if the larval mass has a density between 1000 and 5000 larvae and have already reached the third instar, then there is no influence on the development time of larvae. Therefore, the identification of the size of the larval mass as well as the instar of the larvae present are crucial data for any subsequent determination of a correct Post Mortem Interval

I like your shoes: the utility of barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) in forensic investigation in marine environment

After attending this presentation, attendees will understand that barnacles are potentially useful when human remains are found in the sea by allowing estimation of the overall duration of the time spent in the water and hence contributing to the determination of the minimum time since death. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by reviewing the first study involving the identification, colonization, and the growth rate of barnacles associated with shoes placed in a marine environment. This data will be useful in cases in which human remains and their garments are found in the sea. Estimating the minimum Postmortem Interval (minPMI) is a necessary part of a forensic investigation. MinPMI can be estimated using forensic entomology, the scientific discipline that considers insects and other arthropods in legal investigations. In an aquatic environment, insects as well as crustaceans have the potential to provide data regarding the time the remains spent in water, Floating Time (FT), and Post Mortem Submersion Interval (PMSI), and this can also assist in determining the minPMI. Barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) are common crustaceans that colonize hard substrates in marine environments and they can often be found in association with human and animal remains floating in the sea. Barnacles are typically found colonizing shoes. Barnacles can colonize both floating remains and submerged remains and their growth rate is dependent on the water temperature. Despite their potential to be indicative of the FT and/or PMSI, at present, research is depleting and only a few case studies have considered it for this purpose. This study is focused on the barnacle colonization of different type of shoes (plastic/sporty vs leather/elegant) placed in the sea (Boston Harbor, Boston, MA). The objectives of this study are: (1) identification of barnacle species of barnacles that colonize shoes; (2) identification of the settlement preferences of the barnacles associated with the shoes; and, (3) identification of the growth rate of the barnacles associated with the shoes. In the experiment setup, 64 plastic shoes and 64 leather shoes were placed in the harbor at the same depth (-8/- 10 meters), in early March 2016 and remained untouched for one month to allow for colonization to occur. Data loggers were placed with the shoes to record temperature throughout the course of the study. Four of each shoe type were removed every two weeks from April 2016 to October 2016 inclusive. Once the shoes were removed from the water, they were photographed and the barnacle colonization was documented. Individual barnacles from each shoe were sampled and measured to determine species, age as well as the overall colonization density, and settlement preference. Growth rates were calculated based on barnacles sampled from each sampling period correlated with the temperature data. Preliminary results to date reveal that barnacles can colonize both plastic and leather shoes, but also that leather shoes show a higher colonization density. The results of this study will help determine whether barnacles provide accurate estimations of the time spent in water by the different type of shoes, expanding the field of forensic science and giving examiners more tools in the ever-difficult task of estimating FT, PMSI, and minPMI