AI Article Synopsis
- Researchers extracted and analyzed cuticular hydrocarbons from the larvae of two blowfly species to determine their ages using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
- The analysis tracked chemical profile changes daily from one-day-old larvae to those just before pupation, revealing significant variations that correlate with larval age.
- By employing statistical methods like Principal Component Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks, the study achieved up to 87% accuracy in aging the larvae, indicating a promising method for estimating post-mortem intervals (PMI) in forensic contexts.
Article Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons were extracted daily from the larvae of two closely related blowflies Calliphora vicina and Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The hydrocarbons were then analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), with the aim of observing changes within their chemical profiles in order to determine the larval age. The hydrocarbons were examined daily for each species from 1day old larvae until pupariation. The results show significant chemical changes occurring from the younger larvae to the post-feeding larvae. With the aid of a multivariate statistical method (Principal Component Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks), samples were clustered and classified, allowing for the larval age to be established. Results from this study allowed larvae to be aged to the day with at worst, 87% accuracy, which suggests there is great potential for the use of cuticular hydrocarbons present on larvae to give an indication of their age and hence potentially a valuable tool for minimum PMI estimations.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.09.012 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!