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Effects of Methamphetamine on the Development and Its Determination in Aldrichina grahami (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Shiwen Wang1, Changquan Zhang2, Wei Chen3
1Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China.
Abstract:
Age determination of necrophagous flies serves as an important tool for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation in forensic investigations. Drugs or toxins in cadavers may alter the developmental time of larvae, and lead to deviation in PMI estimation. Methamphetamine (MA), as one of the most abused psychostimulant drugs in Asia and North America, is often involved in forensic entomotoxicological cases. This study investigated the effects of MA (0, 45, 90, and 180 ng/mg) on the developmental rate, morphology, and survival of Aldrichina grahami (Aldrich, 1930). The results showed that 1) the developmental time to reach the pupal instar was statistically slower for the larvae reared on rabbit mince containing MA than for the control; 2) the mean length of the larvae exposed to MA concentrations was longer than those of the control; 3) the mean weight of the pupae exposed to the highest concentration of MA was significantly lighter than those of the control; 4) the GC-MS method can detect the content of MA in A. grahami immatures and empty puparia (EP).
Insights
Methamphetamine exposure slows the development of forensically important flies, impacting postmortem interval (PMI) estimations. This study shows methamphetamine alters larval growth and survival in Aldrichina grahami.
Area of Science:
- Forensic entomology
- Forensic toxicology
- Insect toxicology
Background:
- Age determination of necrophagous flies is crucial for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation.
- Drugs and toxins can affect larval development, potentially skewing PMI results.
- Methamphetamine (MA) is a frequently encountered substance in forensic entomotoxicology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of methamphetamine on the developmental rate, morphology, and survival of Aldrichina grahami.
- To assess the potential for methamphetamine detection in fly immatures and puparia.
Main Methods:
- Larvae of Aldrichina grahami were reared on rabbit mince containing varying concentrations of methamphetamine (0, 45, 90, 180 ng/mg).
- Developmental time, larval length, and pupal weight were measured.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect MA in immature stages and empty puparia.
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine exposure significantly slowed the developmental time to the pupal stage compared to controls.
- Larvae exposed to MA exhibited increased mean body length.
- Pupae from the highest MA concentration group were significantly lighter than controls.
- MA was detectable in Aldrichina grahami immatures and empty puparia using GC-MS.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine significantly affects the development and morphology of Aldrichina grahami.
- These alterations can complicate postmortem interval estimations in forensic cases involving methamphetamine.
- The GC-MS method is effective for detecting methamphetamine in forensic entomological samples.
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