Forensic entomology

Human autosomal DNA and X chromosome STR profiles obtained from Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae used as a biological trace

T. C. Oliveira, Santos, A. B. R., Rabelo, K. C. N., Souza, C. A., Santos, S. M., and Crovella, S., Human autosomal DNA and X chromosome STR profiles obtained from Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae used as a biological trace, vol. 15, no. 4, p. -, 2016.

INTRODUCTION

Forensic entomology, the study of insects associated with forensic procedures, aims to gather information and traces that can assist an investigation, demonstrating the importance of both science and legal processes (Thyssen, 2011). Among the various uses of insects in investigations, entomogenetics combines forensic genetic techniques and the versatility of entomology.

DNA-based identification of forensically important species of Sarcophagidae (Insecta: Diptera) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

K. S. Napoleão, Mello-Patiu, C. A., Oliveira-Costa, J., Takiya, D. M., Silva, R., Moura-Neto, R. S., Napoleão, K. S., Mello-Patiu, C. A., Oliveira-Costa, J., Takiya, D. M., Silva, R., and Moura-Neto, R. S., DNA-based identification of forensically important species of Sarcophagidae (Insecta: Diptera) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, vol. 15, p. -, 2016.

Sarcophagidae, or flesh flies, are of great importance in forensic entomology, but their effective application requires precise taxonomic identification, which relies almost exclusively on characteristics of the male genitalia. Given that female flies and larvae are most abundant in animal carcasses or on corpses, precise morphological identification can be difficult; therefore, DNA sequencing can be an additional tool for use in taxonomic identification.

Trace samples of human blood in mosquitoes as a forensic investigation tool

K. C. N. Rabelo, Albuquerque, C. M. R., Tavares, V. B., Santos, S. M., Souza, C. A., Oliveira, T. C., Oliveira, N. C. L., and Crovella, S., Trace samples of human blood in mosquitoes as a forensic investigation tool, vol. 14, pp. 14847-14856, 2015.

Investigations of any type of crime invariably starts at the crime scene by collecting evidence. Thus, the purpose of this research was to collect and analyze an entomological trace from an environment that is similar to those of indoor crime scenes. Hematophagous mosquitoes were collected from two residential units; saliva of volunteers that were residents in the units was also collected for genetic analysis as reference samples.

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