Author/Authors :
KAVITHA, Rajagopal university of malaya - Faculty of Science - Institute of Biological Sciences, Malaysia , NAZNI, Wasi Ahmad Institute for Medical Research - Medical Entomology Unit, Malaysia , TAN, Tian Chye university of malaya - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Parasitology, Malaysia , LEE, Han Lim Institute for Medical Research - Medical Entomology Unit, Malaysia , MAT ISA, Mohd Noor Malaysia Genome Institute, Malaysia , SOFIAN AZIRUN, Mohd university of malaya - Faculty of Science - Institute of Biological Sciences, Malaysia
Abstract :
Forensic entomology applies knowledge about insects associated with decedent in crime scene investigation. It is possible to calculate a minimum postmortem interval (PMI) by determining the age and species of the oldest blow fly larvae feeding on decedent. This study was conducted in Malaysia to identify maggot specimens collected during crime scene investigations. The usefulness of the molecular and morphological approach in species identifications was evaluated in 10 morphologically identified blow fly larvae sampled from 10 different crime scenes in Malaysia. The molecular identification method involved the sequencing of a total length of 2.2 kilo base pairs encompassing the ‘barcode’ fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI), cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and t-RNA leucine genes. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies and Chrysomya nigripes. In addition, one unidentifi ed blow fly species was found based on phylogenetic tree analysis.
