Forensic toxicology and insects: a minireview.
In cases of suspicious death, various postmortem changes and the insect species infesting the corpse have been employed to compute the time of death. Recently, chemical analysis of the life stages of insects infesting the corpse has revealed poisons and drugs consumed for suicide in the body of the deceased. This new area can provide proof of the cause of death. It is recommended that whether or not there is suitable tissue samples for the analysis, the developmental stages of insects thriving on the carcass should always be collected as exhibits for analysis.
Pahwa
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College of Pharmacy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002423:Cause of Death; D004175:Diptera / Q000032:analysis* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008294:Malathion / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009198:Myiasis; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000032:analysis; D013405:Suicide; D013997:Time Factors
D008294:Malathion; D010634:Phenobarbital