Effects of morphine in decomposing bodies on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Bécart, A
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France

Tournel, G
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France

Deveaux, M
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France

Gosset, D
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France

Bourel, B
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France & Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, Faculte Libre des Sciences, 13 rue de Toul, 59046 Lille Cedex, France

Hédouin, V
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France

Martin-Bouyer, L
Institut de Médecine Légale et de Médecine Sociale, Place Theéo Varlet, 59000 Lille, France


Abstract
This study concerns the effects of morphine in tissues on the rate of development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using those tissues as a food source. Lucilia sericata is a species of fly commonly found on human corpses in Europe during the early stages of decomposition and thus of forensic interest. Three rabbits were administered 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine chlorhydrate via ear perfusion over a period of 3 h. These dosages and duration of perfusion were calculated to give tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in fatal human overdoses. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. Following administration of the drug, rabbits were sacrificed and 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age, were placed in the eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit. Developing larvae were sampled daily to determine growth rate and weight. Puparia and emerging adult flies were also sampled. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's T-test. Results of this study show that an underestimation of the postmortem interval of 24 h is possible if the presence of morphine in tissues is not considered. This study demonstrates again the necessity of considering the possible effects of drugs in tissues on insect growth rates when estimating the postmortem interval using entomological techniques.

Keywords:
Calliphoridae, entomotoxicology, forensic entomology, forensic science, Lucilla sericata, morphine, postmortem interval, rabbit

Paper ID: CH16354X

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Author Bourel B, Hédouin V, Martin-Bouyer L, Bécart A, Tournel G, Deveaux M, Gosset D Title Effects of morphine in decomposing bodies on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Symposium , Committee on