title: In vitro effects of household products on Calliphoridae larvae development: implication for forensic entomology.
abstract: Several parameters can delay the first arrival of flies on a corpse and the subsequent development of the larvae. This study focuses on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) (Meigen, 1826) on household chemical-contaminated substrates. bleach, perfume, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, insecticide, mosquito repellent, and gasoline in quantities consistent with an amount that could possibly be spilled on a corpse were mixed with beef liver to simulate contaminated fleshes. Larvae were bred at 25 °C on these media until emergence. Four developmental parameters were followed: survival rates, development times, sex ratios, and adult sizes. Hydrochloric acid, insecticide, and gasoline killed all larvae. In low quantities, caustic soda and mosquito repellent increased the development time and decreased the adult size. However, high quantities of these chemicals killed all larvae. Lastly, bleach and perfume did not affect the survival rate and barely impacted the development time or adult size. These results demonstrate common household products spilled on a corpse can strongly affect the development of Calliphoridae larvae. The effects of such products should be considered in forensic entomology cases.
authors: Université Lille Nord de France, F-59000, Lille, France; Forensic Taphonomy Unit, UDSL, F-59000, Lille, France.
authors: Cindy
authors: C
authors: Aubernon
authors: Cedric
authors: C
authors: Devigne
authors: Valery
authors: V
authors: Hedouin
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Gosset
authors: Damien
authors: D
authors: Charabidze
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002424:Caustics / Q000633:toxicity; D004175:Diptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005742:Gasoline / Q000633:toxicity; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D010476:Perfume / Q000633:toxicity; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics; D004202:Disinfectants; D005742:Gasoline; D007306:Insecticides; D010476:Perfume; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid
keywords: Lucilia sericata; chemical body concealment; forensic entomology; forensic sciences; mortality; postmortem interval; preappearance interval