Partial Sequencing of the Cytochrome Oxydase b Subunit Gene I: A Tool for the Identification of European Species of Blow Flies for Postmortem Interval Estimation

• NCJ Number: 184330
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2000 Pages: 820-823
• Author(s): Stephane Vincent Ph.D.; Jean Marc Vian B.S.; Marie Paule Carlotti
• Date Published: July 2000
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study focused on the use of an updated version of an established method to estimate the time of death by identifying insects on the body.

Abstract

The technique rested on sequence analysis of PCR products from a region of the cytochrome b oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene from the the adults, maggots, and purparia of six species of blow flies, maggots and puparia. The research focused on members of the family Calliphoridae and sequenced six European species and one Guianese species. Results revealed that the technique provided clear results when applied to the larvae. Findings indicated the usefulness of the technique and that it is possible to obtain a DNA sequence from both poorly preserved blow flies and from empty puparia. Further tests are focusing on whether it is possible to identify blow flies from legs or wings in cases where no intact larvae or puparia can be located. Figures, tables, and 16 references (Author abstract modified)