Responses of Carrion Insects to Gammalin - 20 Poisoning. A Forensics Crime Evaluation Using Euthanized Pigs

Scientific Study , 2023 , 55 Pages , Grade: A

Biology - Miscellaneous

Forensic entomotoxicological appraisal of carrion insects found on pigs poisoned with Gammalin-20 was carried out at the back of the stadium on the campus of the University of Ibadan. A total of three 3-month old domestic pigs, Sus scrofa L., weighing between 10.5 and 11.3 kg were used as surrogate human models. Two pigs were euthanized with Gammalin-20 by administering 180 ml and 200 ml separately, while the third one was sacrificed without any poison and served as the control experiment. After death was confirmed, each pig was immediately mounted on sawdust and setup at about 50 m apart to allow for arthropod colonization without cross migration, thereby representing three different replicates of the same study.

The pigs were left to decompose, and it was discovered that there were five phases of decomposition namely: fresh, bloated, active, advanced and dry decay stages. The decomposition process of the carrions took twenty days in the control experiment and thirty-four days in those treated with Gammalin-20. Four families of flies were found (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae and Dermestidae) and seven species (Chrysomya abiceps, Chrysomya regalis, Sarcophaga spp, Phormia regina, Lucilia sericata, Dermestes maculatus and Musca domestica). Their activities on the carrions included consumption of the carrion tissues and using same to propagate their progeny. Calliphoridae was observed to be the most dominant family in nearly all the stages of decomposition with 108 individuals, followed by the Sarcophagidae with 98 individuals, the Muscidae with 85 individuals and the Dermestidae with 10 individuals. Flies found on the carrions were collected with a sweep net and preserved in 70% ethanol for identification. The succession pattern of the flies, their abundance, rate of development, effects of the poison on the developmental pattern were all determined.

Warning: Contains images of dead and decomposing animals (pp. 41-45).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• ABSTRACT
• CHAPTER ONE
• 1.0 Introduction
• 1.1 Forensic entomotoxicology
• 1.2 Necrophagous Species
• 1.3 Gamalin-20
• 1.4 Aims and Objectives of the Study
• CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
• 2.1. Forensic entomology
• 2.2. Areas of forensic entomology
• 2.3. Decomposition
• 2.4. Carrion Insect Succession
• 2.5. Factors Influencing Carrion Insects Development
• 2.6. Arthopods Associated With Carrion
• 2.7. Forensic Entomotoxicology
• 2.8. Justification of the study
• CHAPTER THREE
• 3.1. Study Site
• 3.2. Sample collection and processing
• 3.3. Sample analyses
• CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• 4.1. Abundance and species composition of carrion insects on pig carcass
• 4.2. Carrion Insect Succession on Pig Carcass
• 4.3. Effect of Gammalin 20 the length of larva and weight of larva
• References

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study investigates the impact of Gammalin-20, a pesticide, on carrion insects and their role in forensic entomotoxicology. The objective is to understand the effects of this pesticide on the abundance, species composition, and succession of carrion insects associated with pig carcasses.

• Forensic Entomotoxicology
• Carrion Insect Succession
• Effects of Pesticides on Insects
• Gammalin-20 Toxicity
• Decomposition Process

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter One: Introduction

  This chapter provides an overview of forensic entomotoxicology, focusing on the role of carrion insects in investigations involving poisoning. It introduces the pesticide Gammalin-20 and outlines the study's aims and objectives.

• Chapter Two: Literature Review

  This chapter delves into existing research on forensic entomology, covering topics like carrion insect succession, decomposition, and the influence of various factors on insect development. It also explores the specific area of forensic entomotoxicology.

• Chapter Three: Methodology

  This chapter details the methodology employed in the study, including the study site, sample collection and processing, and sample analyses. It outlines the experimental design for studying the effects of Gammalin-20 on carrion insects.

• Chapter Four: Results and Discussion

  This chapter presents the findings of the study, focusing on the abundance and species composition of carrion insects on pig carcasses treated with Gammalin-20. It analyzes the impact of the pesticide on insect succession and explores its effects on larval length and weight.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this work include forensic entomotoxicology, carrion insect succession, Gammalin-20, pesticide effects, decomposition, and forensic entomology. The study aims to contribute to understanding the role of carrion insects in criminal investigations involving poisoning and the implications of pesticide exposure for forensic investigations.

• College: University of Ibadan
• Grade: A
• Author: Emmanuel Tyokumbur (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 55
• Catalog Number: V1360353
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346881458
• ISBN (Book): 9783346881465
• Language: English
• Tags: Forensics, Crime, Post Mortem Interval, Carrion insects, Entomotoxicology, Pigs, Poisons, Homicide, Crime prevention