Title: | Volatile organic compounds released by blowfly larvae and pupae: new perspectives in forensic entomology |
Author(s): | Frederickx C; Dekeirsschieter J; Brostaux Y; Wathelet JP; Verheggen FJ; Haubruge E; |
Address: | "Department of Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium. entomologie.gembloux@ulg.ac.be" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.01.007 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1872-6283 (Electronic) 0379-0738 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "To evaluate postmortem intervals (PMIs), one should take into account the determined age of necrophagous flies present on the cadaver. However, PMI determination needs further improvement, and rapid and accurate approaches have therefore to be developed. While previous studies have focussed on insect cuticular hydrocarbons, here we explore the volatile profile released by larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae). We monitored changes in volatile compounds daily, by headspace solid-phase microextraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Branched and unbranched hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters and acids were identified, and the volatile profile was shown to vary, in both composition and quantity, with the age of the larva/pupa under investigation. We concluded, based on the analysis of the released volatile organic compounds, that it is possible to increase the accuracy of the estimated PMI, through improved estimation of the age of blowflies present on the cadaver" |
Keywords: | Animals Diptera/*chemistry Entomology *Feeding Behavior Forensic Pathology Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Larva/chemistry Postmortem Changes Pupa/chemistry Solid Phase Microextraction Swine Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis; |
Notes: | "MedlineFrederickx, C Dekeirsschieter, J Brostaux, Y Wathelet, J-P Verheggen, F J Haubruge, E eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Ireland 2012/02/22 Forensic Sci Int. 2012 Jun 10; 219(1-3):215-20. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.01.007. Epub 2012 Feb 16" |