No description available.

No description available.

From the entomological evidence occurring on and around a corpse it is possible to determine an estimated post-mortem interval (PMI). The critical step in this examination is the accurate identification of specimens collected ensuring the application of appropriate species-specific developmental data. Current molecular techniques in the identification of forensically important Calliphoridae species from the Australian region have been explored and found to be a highly significant and valuable area of research. The cytochrome oxidase genes in the mitochondrial genome have been shown to have sufficient sequence diversity to distinguish forensically relevant Calliphoridae species. In order to target the observed sequence diversity within relevant regions of the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes, sequence specific primer (SSP) pairs are used to target polymorphisms, resulting in the amplification of specific species. This technique has proven to be both a rapid and successful identification tool in the analysis of insect taxa, especially Culicidae. SSP typing is particularly useful, as it requires no subsequent sequencing or restriction with enzymes, both of which require additional time and reagents. The aim of this research was to develop a multiplex SSP reaction for the identification of forensically important Calliphoridae species. Seven SSP pairs preliminarily designed by Harvey (2006) were utilised in the identification of Calliphora dubia, Calliphora albifrontalis, Chrysomya rufifacies, Chrysomya megacephala and Lucilia sericata. Once optimised the SSP pairs were developed into two multiplex PCR reactions. This thesis presents the experiments performed, analysis conducted and results obtained through the development of the multiplex SSP-PCR system. Initial testing of the seven preliminarily designed SSP pairs conveyed non-concordance between expected and observed results. Additional species were continually amplified, even after extensive optimisation attempts, including alternations to annealing temperature, MgCl2 and primer concentration. Of the 7 SSP pairs, 6 were re-designed to improve specificity, whilst one was removed from further testing and replaced with 2 newly designed primer pairs. 15 Continual testing of 8 SSP pairs was conducted, but only 6 could be successfully optimised. Optimisation was limited to alterations to annealing temperature, to allow for potential multiplexing. To confirm the regions and species amplified, sequencing of the PCR products was performed. Though only partial sequences were obtained for most samples the alignment shows the expected region amplified with specific species variations. Using the remaining 6 SSP pairs all species tested were identifiable, allowing for multiplexing potential to be tested. Multiplex PCR is a cost effective and efficient technique that is becoming increasing popular within a wide range of scientific disciplines. To date there has been no recorded use of this technique in relation to either forensic entomology or the analysis of forensically important Calliphoridae species. The 6 SSP pairs were manipulated to produce one successful multiplex PCR system using 3 SSP pairs to identify L. sericata, Ch. rufifacies and Ch. megacephala, and one unsuccessful multiplex PCR that amplified a single SSP pair for the identification of C. dubia and Ch. rufifacies. When both reactions are utilised, it is possible to identify all 5 forensically important Calliphoridae species tested.

Assessing time of death is a notoriously difficult, yet critical component of coronial death investigations. Forensic entomoloy can provide reliable death time estimates using knowledge of local carrion insect species ecology and larval development times. However, inadequate data are available for Victoria, and thus forensic entomology techniques cannot be fully exploited in this jurisdiction. This study aimed to provide data that will enable a basic forensic entomology service to be provided in Victoria, as well as initiate further development of forensic entomology in this state. There are few quantitative data available on the carcass colonisation patterns of blowflies and flesh flies, however these data are forensically valuable. Colonising maggots form feeding masses that generate heat, and therefore speed the growth of their members. This should be integrated into larval age estimates, however there is little knowledge of the factors controlling mass size and persistence. Additionally, it is important to understand more clearly the behaviour of larvi- and ovipositing female flies since qualitative assessments of abnormal colonisation patterns may be used to indicate pre-mortem trauma to a body.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2006. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Health Sciences.

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (Proquest, viewed on Aug. 12, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76).

No description available.

No description available.

Abstract not available

Extensive seasonal collections along with absolute counts of all the arthropods attracted to medium- and large mammal carcasses resulted in the most complete record of carrion-fauna in Africa to date. The abundance of these species and their seasonal, successional, and diel patterns of carcass-attendance are discussed. More than 98% of species were insects and their presence at the carcass habitat could be classified as obligate, opportunistic, or incidental. A recognisable community of carrion-associated arthropods consistently attracted to the carcass habitat is described, comprising sarcophages, coprophages, keratophages, detritivores, predators and parasites. The interactions and functional ecology of these arthropods is described. The blow-flies Chrysomyia albiceps (Wd.) and C. marginalis (Wd.) were found to be pivotal or key species due to the impact of their larvae on carcass decomposition and their influence on other members of the community. In view of the importance of these blow-flies, their abundance, and the potential role of the adults as dispersal agents of disease organisms, studies were performed to clarify the population dynamics of the two species. The biology and ecology of the immature stages is discussed, including such aspects as the availability of mammal carcasses for oviposition and larval development, and mortality of larvae in the digestive tracts of vultures. By feeding a radioactive isotope of phosphorous (p[32]) to a reared population of adult flies, the dispersal and flight ranges, habitat preferences and population densities of both blow-fly species were studied. The seasonal abundance of C albiceps, C. marginalis, and Lucilia spp. was monitored by monthly trapping at three sites in the study area. Further studies using radioactively-marked blood in a carcass under natural conditions revealed that the distribution of flyspecks deposited by blow-flies is largely dependent upon vegetational structure in the immediate vicinity of the carcass, and the majority of such droplets occurred near the carcass between one and three metres above ground. A distinction in fly-specks was made between vomit droplets, faecal droplets, and the newly tenned discard droplets. The feeding behaviour of C. albiceps and C. marginalis is discussed with reference to the transmission of anthrax in the northern K.N.P. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1984.