Observations on the Effect of Benzylpiperazine on the Larval Development Rate of Calliphora vomitoria and its Implications on the Estimation of Post Mortem Intervals
Authors: Zorba, J., Whittington, A.E. and Osselton, M.D.
Conference: The UK and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) Annual Meeting and Conference
Dates: 10-11 September 2015
Abstract:The identification of insect species present on a cadaver can help in estimating the Post Mortem Interval (PMI). Several studies have demonstrated that insect development rates may be altered when insects consume food containing drugs. Subsequently, PMI estimations based up on insect evidence in cases of drug related deaths may be unreliable. Benzylpiperazine was found to significantly increase the length of C. vomitoria larvae throughout each day of sampling. The time to pupation was also reduced, as was the time to the third instar stage. The differences observed were sufficient to influence PMI estimations by up to 24 hours.
Source: Manual