Age estimation during the blow fly intra-puparial period: a qualitative and quantitative approach using...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Entomology
• Developmental Biology
• Imaging Technology

Background:

• Minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) estimation often uses blow fly development.
• The intra-puparial period is crucial but lacks reliable, non-destructive ageing methods.
• Current methods rely on qualitative markers, limiting accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze morphological changes during the intra-puparial period using micro-CT.
• To develop a novel, reliable method for insect age estimation in forensic contexts.
• To assess micro-CT's utility for both qualitative and quantitative ageing.

Main Methods:

• Non-destructive micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was employed.
• Qualitative and quantitative analyses of intra-puparial morphological changes were performed.
• Two forensically relevant species, Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata, were studied.

Main Results:

• Micro-CT identified age-diagnostic qualitative characters for 10% intervals of the intra-puparial period.
• The method is effective across various temperatures and comparable to traditional techniques.
• Quantitative measures of organ system development were obtained.

Conclusions:

• Micro-CT provides a reliable, non-destructive tool for ageing insects during the intra-puparial stage.
• This technology enhances the accuracy of minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) estimations.
• Micro-CT is a promising tool for medico-legal investigations.