2014/06/20

ScienceNetwork 18 June 2014: Validating forensics: blowflies as ‘meth detectors’

THE humble blowfly (Calliphora sp) could lead to better detection of methamphetamine (MA) in decomposing tissue.

A collaboration between the University of WA’s Centre for Forensic Science and University of Turin’s Department of Chemistry in Italy has explored the effect of MA on the development, growth rates and survival of the blowfly in relation to estimating post-mortem intervals.

The research involved developing and validating a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to detect the MA in the blowflies.

“GC-MS is an ‘old’ chemistry method for the detection of different substances, especially drugs, and we adapted the technology,” study author Dr Paolo Magni says.

“The validation process is very important in forensic science because any interpretation is evaluated in court.

“Insects, especially blowflies, are natural decomposers of the human body so if the cause of death was the use or abuse of MA—or other substances—we are going to find those substances in the insects that feed on the body.

“Any animal poisoned or drugged with pretty much anything can be used as a tool to detect such substances.”

Determining time of death using insects can sometimes be more precise than the conventional method of looking at different stages of decomposition, which is largely contingent upon body heat.

In this study, experimental results found MA caused significant increases in the developmental time from blowfly egg to larvae. more