Comparative Toxicological Analyses of Traditional Matrices and Blow Fly Larvae in Four Cases of Highly Decomposed Human Cadavers

Michela Peruch; Maria Buffon; Zlatko Jakovski; Chara Spiliopoulou; Riccardo Addobbati; Martina Franzin; Paola Magni; Stefano D’Errico

doi:10.3390/insects15070500

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Comparative Toxicological Analyses of Traditional Matrices and Blow Fly Larvae in Four Cases of Highly Decomposed Human Cadavers

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Comparative Toxicological Analyses of Traditional Matrices and Blow Fly Larvae in Four Cases of Highly Decomposed Human Cadavers

Michela Peruch, Maria Buffon, Zlatko Jakovski, Chara Spiliopoulou, Riccardo Addobbati, Martina Franzin, Paola Magni and Stefano D’Errico

Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.15(7), 500

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070500

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Abstract

Autopsies

Autopsy

Blister packs

Cadavers

Chromatography

Correlation

Crime

Decomposition

Drug development

Drug metabolism

Drugs

Forensic pathology

Forensic science

Guidelines

Human performance

Insects

Larvae

Low concentrations

Methadone

Poisoning

Substrates

Toxins

In forensic investigation, determining the time and cause of death becomes challenging, especially in cases where the remains are found in advanced decomposition, rendering traditional toxicological samples unavailable or unreliable. Entomotoxicology, an emerging methodology within forensic science, leverages insect specimens collected from cadavers as alternative toxicological samples. Several laboratory and field research studies have highlighted the efficacy in detecting various drugs, toxins, and elements absorbed by insects feeding on cadaveric tissues, even at low concentrations. However, correlation studies between drug concentrations in conventional matrices and insects remain controversial due to unknown factors influencing drug metabolism and larval feeding activity. This paper presents four real cases in which human cadavers were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition, and toxicological analyses were performed on both insect samples and available matrices. The results presented complement the scant literature currently available on the application of entomotoxicology in real cases, providing insights into the correlation between larvae and human specimen results. Furthermore, guidelines to collect and preserve entomological evidence at the crime scene and during the autopsy for use in entomotoxicological analyses are provided. This advancement holds promise in aiding forensic investigations, particularly in cases where traditional methods cannot be applied or require supporting data for further validation.

Details

Title: Comparative Toxicological Analyses of Traditional Matrices and Blow Fly Larvae in Four Cases of Highly Decomposed Human Cadavers
Authors/Creators: Michela Peruch - University of Trieste
Maria Buffon - University of Trieste
Zlatko Jakovski - Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
Chara Spiliopoulou - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Riccardo Addobbati - IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo
Martina Franzin - IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo
Paola Magni - Murdoch University, School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Stefano D’Errico - University of Trieste
Publication Details: Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.15(7), 500
Publisher: MDPI AG
Identifiers: 991005691069607891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.32 Entomology; 3.32.1638 Forensic Entomology
Web Of Science research areas: Entomology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science