title: Molecular identification of blow flies recovered from human cadavers during crime scene investigations in Malaysia.
abstract: Forensic entomology applies knowledge about insects associated with decedent in crime scene investigation. It is possible to calculate a minimum postmortem interval (PMI) by determining the age and species of the oldest blow fly larvae feeding on decedent. This study was conducted in Malaysia to identify maggot specimens collected during crime scene investigations. The usefulness of the molecular and morphological approach in species identifications was evaluated in 10 morphologically identified blow fly larvae sampled from 10 different crime scenes in Malaysia. The molecular identification method involved the sequencing of a total length of 2.2 kilo base pairs encompassing the 'barcode' fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and t-RNA leucine genes. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya nigripes. In addition, one unidentified blow fly species was found based on phylogenetic tree analysis.
authors: Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Rajagopal
authors: R
authors: Kavitha
authors: Wasi Ahmad
authors: WA
authors: Nazni
authors: Tian Chye
authors: TC
authors: Tan
authors: Han Lim
authors: HL
authors: Lee
authors: Mohd Noor Mat
authors: MN
authors: Isa
authors: Mohd Sofian
authors: MS
authors: Azirun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D003415:Crime; D019548:Crime Victims; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000032:analysis; D004175:Diptera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods*; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D007930:Leucine / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008296:Malaysia; D010802:Phylogeny; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D007930:Leucine