Senior Seminar Research Proposal

Introduction rhetorical bugology is occasiond to checker much(prenominal) crimes as murder, suicide, and early(a) criminal acts by examining various sucking lo phthisiss instead of victimisation benevolent tissues. This rhetorical turncock is utilize to get back the atomic subjugate 61 interval of a mud and the cause of demolition of a clay when all other forms of human evince (human blood, tissues, hair, etc. ) atomic number 18 non enclose at the scene. forensic bug-hunters prefer using insects to go down these factor ins of stopping point because the insects produce a same results as human sieve materials such(prenominal)(prenominal) as human blood or tissues which yield the best analytical results for the forensic entomologist.The use of forensic entomological turn up has been accepted and utilize in legion(predicate) courts around the world (Anderson, 1999). The use of this asshole in court only ift take hold or refute a distrusts alibi and improves the criminal probe against the suspect (Anderson, 1999). Even though forensic entomology is an efficient rotating shaft to use in criminal investigations on that point be or so drawbacks to this analytical tool. Such disadvantages entangle improper prayer of entomological recount and improper comp halt of insects afterward collection, resulting in incorrect entomological results and a accomplishable false conviction of a suspect.The proposed look into of this composing foc apply on insects be impact by divers(prenominal) concentrations of fermentation alcohol during natural insect development and excessively foc apply on the detection of grain alcohol in insects using bodge chromatography business deal spectrometry (GCMS) to determine if insects were signifi bottomlandtly affected by ethyl alcohol exposure. The search withal focused on the exposure of grain alcohol to the insects and how this exposure affected PMI (post-mortem examination interval ) aspiration. forensic entomology is a familiarly used tool to determine cause and period of closing by examining various characteristics of insects that ar self- self-possessed at the crime scene.Such characteristics take on size of the insect(s) and the animation motorcycle tier of the insect poised. rhetorical entomology becomes the virtually straight and some fourth dimensions the only tool in stock(predicate) for determining term of goal, especially after 72 hours (Anderson and VanLaerhoven, 1996). rhetorical entomology jakes as soundly as determine if a torso has been moved from slip to place, determine where the conclusion occurred, determine the front man of various types of doses and toxins array (if all), wound location, and determine who the suspect and victim ar payable to the forepart of trus dickensrthy insects on the luggage compartment (Grisales, et al. 2010). Background/ literary works Review There are cardinal levels of decomp osition reaction identified by a forensic entomologist when conducting an entomological investigation which include fresh, bloated, active, advanced, and remains (Grisales, et al. , 2010). These dots of decomposition are important to a forensic entomologist because insects appear on a body periodically through stunned the decomposition cycle which therefore determines the date of goal of a clay. During these levels of decomposition insects begin to r some(prenominal)ly the corpse either by strike downing ( mature flies) or by burrowing through the ground (pupae).Some insects can also reach the corpse by hatching from ballocks (larvae) that were laid on the corpse after demise. The fresh full stop of decomposition dissembles a drop in soundbox temperature and the appearance of precise some flies on the corpse. The insects that are dispassionate are typically larvae and are collected from the mouth of the corpse. The bloated academic degree of decomposition involves a significant plus in the consistence incubus of a corpse callable to rainfall exposure. The insects that are collected at this microscope correspond of decomposition are larvae arrange on the back, head, ears, and anus of the corpse (Grisales, et al. 2010). The active decline coif of decomposition involves tent- zap sheet larvae provide on a corpse which importantly offseters the corpse w octette of the corpse and an change magnitude amount of vaporise larvae give in the in runningines/ organs of the corpse (Grisales, et al. , 2010). The advanced branch of decomposition involves the fluctuation of body temperature dep terminationing on the location of the corpse and an even larger decrease in body weight due to increased consumption of body tissues by cut down larvae (Grisales, et al. , 2010).There is an increase in adult flies that are collected at this stage of decomposition. In the experience stage of decomposition, remains, there is no go on change of the corpse and the presence of insects gear up decreases (Grisales, et al. , 2010). The stages of decomposition and the insects toast at these stages are also used to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) of a corpse. PMI, or postmortem interval, provides important detail of situations that occurred originally time of death in subject fields of homicide and untimely death (Byrd and Castner, 2001).Arthropods that are be on the corpse can determine the length of egg to fly transformation then(prenominal) to the corned developmental stage (Gennard, 2007). The best arthropods to use are the oldest sensations that were yielded from eggs when the larvae were first deposited on the corpse because they deem the longest feed time on the corpse which allows them to to the full develop and retain any say from the corpse much lengthy this get out produce a more unblemished PMI. Such information can swear out to identify two the criminal and the victim by eliminating the suspec ts and connecting the deceased with other somebodys.The received physiological and chemical consequences of death are usually the most reliable PMI indicators, which actor knowing what an insect should look like at which developmental level to determine when a dead body became a corpse (Henssge et al. 1995). PMI is also associated with the succession roam of various insects which is another tool that is used to determine the time of death of a corpse. The succession appreciate includes information around the time elapsed betwixt death and the presence of a particular arthropod or insect species and stage (Byrd and Castner, 2010).A dead body give go through very recognizable decomposition stages (physical, biological, and chemical changes) that attract various types of arthropods in each decomposition stage that are needed to determine the succession regularise (Monthei, 2009). The most common succession vagabond estimated by an research worker is the age of larvae and t he time interval between death and the arrival of larvae on the corpse (Byrd and Castner, 2010). The knowledge of what insects are supposed to be render and absent based on the season also helps to determine PMI.Calculation of PMI involves volt diametric arthropod invigoration stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, adult, and carcass) for flies when appeal insects from corpses. The egg stage of the fly is characterized by the laying of between 150-200 eggs, with the exception of some flies lying between 2000-3000 eggs, found on the body in lot form within areas that provide protection, moisture, and regimen (Gennard, 2007). Fly eggs are typically shiny and white the eggs have a similar appearance to that of a grain of rice.The reason for specific lieu of eggs on a decomposing body is the fact that the body contains a luxuriously quality of nutrients which are used as a feeding source for the fly eggs to grow, as well as the influence of offset on other species of insects that feed o n the decomposing body. The immature stage of the fly species is characterized into trey stages (L1, L2, and L3) which correspond to the number of slits present on the backs of the larvae (Gennard, 2007). These slits are used by entomologists to determine what stage of life the larvae are in when collected.In the third larval stage, where larvae are the largest, the larvae stop feeding on the corpse and begin looking for a place to begin pupariation. Pupariation is the final stage of development in metamorphosis into the adult stage and is generally called the larval post-feeding stage (Gennard, 2007). Pupariation typically doesnt take place on the corpse because insects in this stage prefer to be in a cool, dark place or underground, if possible. In some instances of fly larvae in pupariation, the insects were shown to get on the corpse.The adult stage, or the end of the life cycle, is initiated by the arthropod pushing itself out of the puparium case and once the adult fly is f ree from the puparium case, the insects make their journey upwards through the soil. in one case the adult fly has reached the top of the soil the insects release their uncivilised and expand their wings to make their steering to other corpses or decomposing material. The adult stage may be the final stage of the life cycle except the carcass of these adult flies can also be collected as order along entrust the carcasses of arthropods in each life stage.Entomotoxicology Entomotoxicology is the abridgment of insects and insect remains for the presence of toxins that may have been present in the corpse before death (Goff and Lord, 1994). Detection of various toxins and defyled substances in insects found on decomposing human remains has contributed to the determination of both cause and manner of death by determining what times of toxins were present in the corpse before death (Lord 1990, Goff and Lord 1994, Nolte et al. , 1992).Entomotoxicology also serves as an alternative analysis tool to determine the presence of toxins or cause of death when certain specimens arent on tap(predicate) for collection, such as human blood or tissues. The toxicological analysis of insect biological materials is conducted in the same manner as the toxicological analysis of human biological materials, make cause of death determination more accu point (Definis- Gojanovic, 2007). Many different species of arthropods, such as flesh flies and blowflies, are used when conducting an entomotoxicological analysis and these arthropods are used to determine the PMI or time before death.The use of entomotoxicology has many advantages, which includes determination of time before death (PMI) and identification of suspect, but this analytical tool also has several disadvantages. One disadvantage includes the issue of preserve the exact temperature of the insects because if the information is incorrect then the outcome of the PMI will also be incorrect. Another disadvantage of this analytical tool is the fact that it is fairly new in the forensic science field so if an individual isnt educated on how to use the technique then important entomological differentiate related to the case may be lost.Lastly, if proper collection of entomological evidence isnt conducted properly, the qualifying of highly important evidence relating to time of death and cause of death could be lost. Cause of death is usually impelled by various types of toxins that are sight in the insect after an entomotoxicological analysis was conducted. Issues with Determination of PMI The determination of PMI can be affected by multiple factors but only two will be discussed in this research proposal which include temperature and neutral spirits. Temperature involves the rise or fall of temperature to such a high or low that affects the egression or succession rate of insects.Air temperature and exposure to sunlight will filch the corpse temperature which will also increase the insect su ccession rate. Temperature can also be influenced by such weather condition conditions as rain, sun, snow, and wind which can greatly affect the amount of entomological evidence collected (insects) and the outcome of a intelligent investigation (Sharanowski et al. , 2008). Alcohol, or fermentation alcohol, is one of the oldest abused drugs in the world that is readily available and the most commonly abused drug in Western societies (Stripp, 2007).grain alcohol is a harvest-tide of fermentation due to yeast cells playacting on sugars from fruits and grains that produces a clear, volatile legato that is soluble in piddle (Stripp, 2007). Once grain alcohol enters the blood stream by word of mouth it travels in the blood into other tissues. The neutral spirits travels to tissues with greater water content because these tissues will receive greater neutral spirits distribution. The neutral spirits concentration will be different in both the corpse and the insects due to the d ifferent water amounts found in each species (insects and corpse).The rate at which ethanol is eliminated from the body is another important factor to a forensic entomologist because this can determine the time at which the individual started drinking. The focus of this essay will involve different concentration levels of ethanol and the cause on the harvest-festival rate of the fly species Sarophagidae (flesh flies). Proposed Research The massive, long-term objectives that this research written report is focused on determining whether ethanol can affect the harvest-feast rate of entomological evidence and how much ethanol can be detected in the insects.This research is also being conducted in an flak to make a resemblance to the other research samples to see if the results concerning proceeds rate of insects clear to such drugs as morphine or heroin are similar or different to the growth rate results of insects expose to ethanol. This research paper includes four specif ic cyphers that was accomplished as a counselling to make the kind objective a more obedient piece that could was easier to manipulate. Specific heading one included determining whether ethanol could be found in both examine fly species after feeding on the ethanol infused call colorful.Specific aim two involved determining which concentrations of ethanol produced the most significant changes in the flies. Specific aim trio involved tracking the growth rate of the fly species that were exposed to the ethanol infused squawk livers (test subjects) and those who were not ( simpleness). Specific aim four involved observing any change in the growth rate data from the fly species test subjects that were exposed to one-third specific concentrations of ethanol. These specific aims will be used in sequential order as a way of getting closer to solving the broad objective. experimental Methods OverviewThe research experiment hypothesized there would be significant changes in the growth rate of the fly species when exposed to the triple specific concentrations of ethanol. The research experiment also predicted that there would be obvious physical changes in the flies when exposed to complain livers infused with specific concentrations of ethanol at different stages of life. The experimental innovation constructed for this experiment involves the fly species Sarophagidae (flesh flies) feeding on cunt livers infused with ethanol over a period of eight to twenty-one days which is the general life cycle for flesh flies.The three recoil livers had varying concentrations of ethanol (25 ug, 50 ug, and ascorbic acid ug) injected into them that the flesh flies were exposed to. The overcome group for the experiment was hand massaged with deionized water as a way to go for liquid accord amongst the groups. At the end of the experiment, the insects were collected into a test underpass and then exposed to GCMS or gas chromatography mass spectrometry in an atte mpt to determine the presence of ethanol in the test subject (insects). The insects were also canvass for any type of stunted or heightened growth in regards to a common fly life cycle.This analytical test was able to show that there was ethanol present in the fly species. Experimental Variables The independent variable in this experiment is the specific concentration of ethanol that is distributed amongst the three beef livers. The dependent variable in this experiment is the growth rate of both species after exposure to ethanol as well as the specific ethanol concentrations. The controlled group was the fly larvae that were not exposed to ethanol. The other controlled variables of this experiment were the 45 degrees Farenheit (temperature) the beef livers were maintained at and the amount of beef used (8 oz. as the feeding substrate for the fly species. The experimental groups in this experiment were three larvae groups exposed to ethanol and the control group was a larvae grou p not exposed to ethanol. Procedures/ Measurements The following experimental design was adapted from a previous research study conducted by George et al. , 2009. Three beef livers weighing 8 oz. each were alert using the corresponding ethanol concentrations for the three experimental groups of the fly species tested (Experimental congregation twain- 25 ug, Experimental Group Three- 50 ug, and Experimental Group Four- 100 ug). 0 mL of deionized water was distributed every bit into the control group (EG 1) to maintain liquid consistency amongst all groups. A cluster of fly larvae for the three experimental groups was collected and distributed evenly amongst the three experimental groups (2-4) as well as the control group. The beef livers were contained in a small plastic bath and refrigerated at a temperature of 45 degrees Farenheit when the beef livers were not being used to discourage spoiling of beef liver as well as to subjugate evaporation of ethanol.The growth rate of the test subjects from both fly species exposed to ethanol is measured (any alteration in growth rate is the factor that is being measured) over a period of three weeks. At the end of three weeks, or longer if necessary, all of the perished insects from the experiment were collected for analysis using GCMS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) to determine the presence or absence of ethanol in the insects. Material List Deionized water Ethanol solution Fly larvae of Sarophagidae (flesh flies)Four beef livers (8 oz. each) gradatory cylinder GCMS machine Microscope Pipette moldable tubs Refrigerator References Anderson, G. S. (1999). Wildlife Forensic entomology ascertain Time of Death in Two Illegally Killed Black Bear Cubs. journal of Forensic Sciences, 44(4) 856-859 Anderson, G. S. and Van Laerhoven, S. L. (1996). Initial Studies on louses Succession on Carrion in southwestern British Columbia. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 41 617-625 Brown, G. , Fuke, C. , Pounder, D. J. , Rober tson, L. and Sadler, D. W. (1997). Barbiturates and Analgesics in Calliphora vicina Larvae. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 42(3) 481-485 Byrd, J. H. and Castner, J. L. (2001). Forensic Entomology The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations. CRC Press Boca Raton, FL Definis- Gojanovic, M. , Britvic, D. , Kokan, B. , and Sutlovic, D. (2007). Drug outline in Necrophagous Flies and Human Tissues. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol, 58 313-316 George. K. A. , Archer, M. S. , Green, L. M. , Conlan, X. A. , and Toop, T. (2009).Effect of morphine on the growth rate of Calliphora stygia (Fabricus) (Diptera Calliphoridae) and possible implications for forensic entomology. Forensic Science International (Online), 193(1) 21-25 Gennard, D. E. (2007). Forensic Entomology An Introduction. Wiley England Goff, M. L. and Lord, W. D. (1994). Entomotoxicology A new area for forensic investigation. American Journal of Forensic practice of medicine and Pathology, 1551-57 Grisales, D. , Ruiz, M. , and Villegas , S. (2010). Insects associated with exposed decomposing bodies in the Colombian Andean Coffee Region.Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 54(4) 637-644 Henssge, C. B. , Knight, B. , Krompecher, T. , Madea, B. , and Nokes, L. (1995). The estimation of the time since death in the early postmortem period. Arnold London Lord, W. D. (1990). Case histories of the use of insects in investigations. In Entomology and death A procedural guide, ed. E. P. , Catts and N. H, Haskell. Clemson, SC Joyces bulls eye Shop, 9-37 Monthei, D. R. (2009). Entomotoxicological and Thermal Factors Affecting the Development of Forensically primary(prenominal) Flies.Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Nolte, K. B. , Lord, W. D. , and Pinder, R. D. (1992). Insect Larvae Used to Detect Cocaine toxic condition in a Decomposed Body. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 37(4) 1179-1185 Sharanowski, B. J. , Walker, E. G. , and Anderson, G. S. (2008). Insect succession and decomposition patterns o n shaded and sunlit carrion in Saskatchewan in three different seasons. Forensic Science International, 179 219-240 Stripp, R. A. (2007). Drugs of Abuse. The Forensic Aspects of Poisons. Chelsea House New York