Methods used for the killing and preservation of blowfly larvae, and their effect on post-mortem larval length

A record of the length of the largest larvae collected from a corpse can be used to estimate the age of the oldest larvae present and, therefore, give an estimate of minimum time since death. Consequently, factors that affect post-mortem larval length will impact on any estimate of PMI based on it. Methods used to kill and preserve larvae are known to affect post-mortem length. This study looks at the effects of different preservatives, and variations in the protocol used for killing larvae by immersion in a hot water bath = [hot water killed; HWK], on the length of dead larvae of two common blowfly species. Post-feeding third instar Calliphora vomitoria and Lucilia sericata larvae were either HWK in boiling water and then placed in 80% ethanol or 10% formaldehyde solution, or placed live into the preservatives. For both species, choice of preservative and method of killing significantly affected post-mortem length. There were significant interspecific differences in their response to identical methods of killing and preservation. Additional experiments were carried out where C. vomitoria larvae were HWK in water at 80 and 100 degrees C for 1, 30, 60 and 90 s duration. Both temperature and duration significantly affected post-mortem length. Maximum length was attained after at least 60 s immersion. The amount of post-mortem decomposition that occurred after the larvae were placed in preservative could be greatly reduced by increasing the duration of immersion and/or increasing the water temperature. For the HWK larvae, it was possible to record their length immediately after death and before they had been placed in preservative. This data revealed that where 80% ethanol was used as a preservative the larvae expanded in the preservative. The timing of this expansion was investigated with a sample of C. vomitoria, HWK at 100 degrees C for 30 s and recording post-mortem length immediately after death and again after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 27, 30 and 33 h storage in 80% ethanol. Maximum length was recorded after 12 h storage and the rate of expansion was highest during the first 3 h in this preservative. After long-term storage (290 days), larvae killed and preserved in the same way were on average 0.7% longer than immediately after death and 0.6% (0.11 mm) smaller than when last measured (after 28 days storage).     

Effects of victim's and defendant's physical attractiveness on the perception of responsibility in an ambiguous domestic violence case

A 2 × 4 × 4 factorial design was used to assess the effects of physical attractiveness in a domestic violence case. The attractiveness of both the defendant and victim were varied along four levels. Subjects were asked to read a domestic violence scenario where pictures of the defendant and victim were varied according their physical attractiveness. Results showed no significant effect of physical attractiveness in a juridic decision-making process in domestic violence. However, there were significant differences between male and female subjects in the sentencing of the defendant. This difference did not hold true for finding the defendant guilty or not guilty.     

The effect of state regulations on the quality and sale of insurance policies to Medicare beneficiaries

This paper examines the effects of state regulations on the quality of insurance policies sold to Medicare beneficiaries and on the amount of sales abuse reported in the sale of such policies. State regulations regarding such policies relate to policy content and format, minimum rates of return, sale of these policies related to disclosure requirements, consumer information activities, and penalties for agent and company abuse. This paper examines the impact of specific regulations on the ratio of the expected policy benefits per premium dollars and on the number and kind of abusive sales practices reported by purchasers and nonpurchasers in agent and mail sales. The study finds that loss ratio floors, minimum benefit standards, and the development of states of consumer information guides for prospective policyholders have a positive impact on the quality of the policies purchased. In addition, the study finds that the amount of abuse reported is less when insurance companies routinely issue press releases concerning agent or company misrepresentation and when consumer guides are developed and available from the state.