Influence of Paraquat on Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Infesting Minced‐beef Substrates in Kelantan,Malaysia |
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Authors: | Naji A. Mahat Ph.D. Chu L. Yin B.Sc. Paul T. Jayaprakash Ph.D. |
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Affiliation: | Forensic Science Program, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, , 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia |
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Abstract: | This study investigated the influence of paraquat, a prevalent poison used by suicides, on initial oviposition and development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) using minced‐beef substrates. Paraquat in lethal dose for human (40 mg/kg), two times the lethal dose (80 mg/kg) and five times the lethal dose (200 mg/kg) were mixed thoroughly with respective minced‐beef substrates (1 kg each) that were decomposed in a shaded habitat fully protected from rain. Results of four replications of the above experiment revealed that the presence of paraquat neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged the developmental stages of C. megacephala. Therefore, estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) based on empirical baseline data obtained using animal models devoid of any poisons would still be appropriate for estimating PMI in paraquat‐related deaths. |
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Keywords: | forensic science forensic entomology oviposition and development
Chrysomya megacephala
paraquat postmortem interval |
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