title: Rapid discrimination of maggots utilising ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.
abstract: Entomological evidence is used in forensic investigations to indicate time since death. The species and age of maggots or flies that are present at the scene can be used when estimating how much time has passed since death. Current methods that are used to identify species and developmental stage of larvae and fly samples are highly subjective, costly and often time consuming processes and require the expertise of an entomologist or species identification via DNA analysis. The use of vibrational spectroscopy, as an alternative identification method, would allow for a quicker, cheaper and less subjective technique and would allow entomological evidence to be used more commonly in the forensic process. This proof of principle study shows the potential for using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) as a rapid tool for differentiating between various species of larvae, such as those commonly found at crime scenes. The proposed regime would provide a rapid and valuable tool resulting in reduced time for both species identification and life cycle determination, particularly in forensic situations.
authors.affiliation: West CHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral St., G1 1XL, UK; Centre for Materials Science, Division of Chemistry, School of Forensic & Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, JB Firth Building, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.affiliation: West CHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral St., G1 1XL, UK; Centre for Materials Science, Division of Chemistry, School of Forensic & Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, JB Firth Building, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hands
authors.affiliation: West CHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral St., G1 1XL, UK.
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fullwood
authors.affiliation: School of Forensic & Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Maudland Building, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: West CHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral St., G1 1XL, UK; Centre for Materials Science, Division of Chemistry, School of Forensic & Investigative Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, JB Firth Building, Preston PR1 2HE, UK. Electronic address: matthew.baker@strath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000254:growth & development*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*
keywords: ATR-FTIR; C. vomitoria; L. sericata; Life cycle; M. domestica; Spectroscopy