Influence of Paraquat on Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius Diptera: Calliphoridae Infesting Minced-Beef Substrates in Kelantan, Malaysia

• NCJ Number: 246619
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 529-532
• Author(s): Naji A. Mahat Ph.D.; Chu L. Yin B.Sc.; Paul T. Jayaprakash Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2014
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

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.

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. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.