Article
Entomology
Giorgia Giordani, Daniel Whitmore, Stefano Vanin
Summary: Species identification is crucial in scientific studies, and can be done through morphological characters or molecular markers. However, traditional DNA extraction methods are invasive and can damage specimens, which is not suitable for certain samples. This study presents a non-invasive DNA extraction technique for identifying species of flies in the genus Sarcophaga, demonstrating successful results on specimens collected over a long period of time.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Alberto Fuentes-Lopez, Aaron Pedreno Sala, Elena Romera, Jose Galian
Summary: Studying dipterans at the scene of a death is crucial for interpreting evidence and reconstructing events related to a corpse. Molecular tools are used for identification in cases of cryptic species, and phylogeographic reconstruction helps differentiate haplotypes for possible corpse relocation. Identification of Sarcophagidae species, especially females, is challenging, but important for estimating the minimum post mortem interval.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Krzysztof Szpila, Nikolas P. Johnston, Kamran Akbarzadeh, Rene Richet, Adam Tofilski
Summary: Flesh flies are important insects in forensic entomology, and the identification of female flesh flies is more challenging than their male counterparts. Wing measurements show promise as a reliable method for identifying necrophagous Sarcophagidae, especially in unsorted samples at the family level. This study demonstrates the potential of using wing morphometrics as a complementary identification tool.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Bruno Leite Rodrigues, Israel de Souza Pinto, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati
Summary: A new species of Trichophoromyia named Trichophoromyia peixotoi is described based on morphological and molecular analyses of male specimens collected in the Parque Nacional da Amazonia, Brazil. This brings the total number of Trichophoromyia species to 45, with 24 species found in Brazil. The use of COI barcodes proved effective in species delimitation.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Yanjie Shang, Yakai Feng, Lipin Ren, Xiangyan Zhang, Fengqin Yang, Changquan Zhang, Yadong Guo
Summary: This study investigated the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and CHCs for age estimations of S. peregrina pupae at different constant temperatures. The results showed that ATR-FTIR and CHCs may be optimal for age estimations of forensically important fly pupae.
Article
Entomology
Giorgia Giordani, Fabiola Tuccia, Daniel Martin-Vega, Chris S. Angell, Jennifer Pradelli, Stefano Vanin
Summary: Piophilidae is a globally distributed family of small Diptera insects historically associated with human activities. Their larvae have medical and legal relevance in addition to their economic importance. Piophilids are frequently found on bodies in advanced stages of decomposition, making them potential forensic indicators, and have also been reported in archaeological funeral contexts. Accurate species identification is essential for reliable analysis of insect material in medical, forensic, and archaeological investigations. This study describes the puparia of 11 species of forensic interest and presents a molecular analysis using COI sequencing for their identification.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Tais Madeira-Ott, Carina M. Souza, Paulo R. S. Bunde, Ana C. R. Ries, Betina Blochtein, Patricia J. Thyssen
Summary: A robust and updated checklist of flesh flies recorded in Southern Brazil is presented, based on material collected in Rio Grande do Sul state and a literature review. The study determined the forensic importance of these flesh flies for estimating the postmortem interval or inferring cases of neglect based on their ecological habits. A total of 2,831 specimens representing 38 taxa were collected, with Oxysarcodexia being the most abundant and species-rich genus. The checklist comprises 91 species distributed in 19 genera, with Oxysarcodexia, Peckia, and Lepidodexia being the richest genera. In terms of PMI estimation, 10, 42, and 39 species were classified as having high, moderate, or no forensic relevance, respectively. Furthermore, five myiasis-causing sarcophagine flies recorded in Southern Brazil were considered to have the potential to reveal cases of neglect or mistreatment. This study identified Microcerella halli and Peckia (Euboettcheria) australis as the most important species for PMI estimation in Southern Brazil.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Nikolas P. Johnston, James F. Wallman, Krzysztof Szpila, Thomas Pape
Summary: This study presents the first taxonomic revision of all Australian species of Protomiltogramma, describing eight new endemic species and placing them within the miltogrammine genera of the world using molecular phylogenetics.
Article
Entomology
Carl E. Hjelmen, Ye Yuan, Jonathan J. Parrott, Alexander S. McGuane, Satyam P. Srivastav, Amanda C. Purcell, Meaghan L. Pimsler, Sing-Hoi Sze, Aaron M. Tarone
Summary: Investigated the use of microRNAs as markers for immature blow fly development in the forensically relevant species Cochliomyia macellaria, and identified potential markers of development time. Explored factors such as genetic variation and sex that may influence miRNA expression throughout development.
Article
Parasitology
Qi Yan Putt, Zubaidah Ya'cob, Peter H. Adler, Chee Dhang Chen, Yan Xin Hew, Noor Izwan-Anas, Koon Weng Lau, Mohd Sofian-Azirun, Xuan Da Pham, Hiroyuki Takaoka, Van Lun Low
Summary: This study employed DNA-based approaches to classify black flies in Vietnam. A total of 15 cryptic species were discovered through DNA barcoding. The results showed that DNA barcoding had varying levels of efficiency in species identification.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah E. Moore, Martin J. R. Hall, Falko P. Drijfhout, Robert B. Cody, Daniel Whitmore
Summary: Analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in adult males and females of eleven species of flesh flies belonging to the genus Sarcophaga Meigen revealed species-specific and sexually dimorphic differences in CHC composition and quantity. CHC analysis can be used for identification and gender determination in insects.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Huiying Chen, Haowei Dong, Hao Yuan, Wenqi Shan, Qiuming Zhou, Xiangyu Li, Heng Peng, Yajun Ma
Summary: The accurate identification of sandfly species is crucial due to their role in transmitting medically significant diseases. However, conventional identification methods are time consuming and require experienced staff. This study investigates the use of DNA barcodes to identify common sandfly species in China and finds that mitochondrial DNA markers are effective in distinguishing these species.
Article
Parasitology
Kwankamol Limsopatham, Chatnaphat Tanajitaree, Sangob Sanit, Kom Sukontason, Pradya Somboon, Jens Amendt, Nina Feddern, Kabkaew L. Sukontason
Summary: This study used wing morphometric analysis as a tool to classify five species of blow flies, and the results indicated that the method is effective in identifying adult Lucilia spp.
Article
Parasitology
Orawan Phuphisut, Chanyapat Nitatsukprasert, Nattaphol Pathawong, Boonsong Jaichapor, Arissara Pongsiri, Poom Adisakwattana, Alongkot Ponlawat
Summary: This study identified sand fly species and investigated Leishmania infection in six provinces of Thailand. No Leishmania DNA was detected in the sand flies tested. DNA barcoding was found to be more effective in determining species diversity compared to morphological identification.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jose Orlando de A. Silva, Leandro S. Brasil, Fernando da S. Carvalho-Filho
Summary: This study aims to investigate the species and succession process of sarcophagids in the decomposition of swine carcasses in the Cerrado biome, Brazilian Northeastern region. A total of 10,819 specimens belonging to 45 sarcophagid species were collected, including one new species and several new records for the Cerrado, Northeast region, and Maranhao. The majority of species were collected during the dry season, primarily during the black putrefaction and butyric fermentation stages, while the largest number of specimens were recorded during the rainy season, at the butyric fermentation and black putrefaction stages.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Peter Kolesik, Nathan Butterworth, Jedda Lemmon, Tracey Gibson, James F. Wallman
AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelly A. Meiklejohn, Natalie Damaso, James M. Robertson
Article
Zoology
Nikolas P. Johnston, James F. Wallman, Thomas Pape
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Laura M. Boggs, Melissa K. R. Scheible, Gustavo Machado, Kelly A. Meiklejohn
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Deborah S. B. S. Silva, Melissa K. Scheible, Sarah F. Bailey, Christopher L. Williams, Julia S. Allwood, Rebecca S. Just, Jared Schuetter, Nicholas Skomrock, Angela Minard-Smith, Nicole Barker-Scoggins, Christopher Eichman, Kelly Meiklejohn, Seth A. Faith
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emma K. Timpano, Melissa K. R. Scheible, Kelly A. Meiklejohn
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenneth K. Kidd, Andrew J. Pakstis, Michael P. Donnelly, Ozlem Bulbul, Lotfi Cherni, Cemal Gurkan, Longli Kang, Hui Li, Libing Yun, Peristera Paschou, Kelly A. Meiklejohn, Eva Haigh, William C. Speed
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ashley M. Cooley, Kelly A. Meiklejohn, Natalie Damaso, James M. Robertson, Tracey Dawson Cruz
Summary: The study compared the performance of two massively parallel sequencing systems and showed that automating the workflow with the Ion Chef system reduced labor involved and increased sequencing quality.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Melissa K. R. Scheible, Emma K. Timpano, Laura M. Boggs, Kelly A. Meiklejohn
Summary: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have value in forensic applications, offering advantages over short tandem repeat (STR) markers. Through the use of different polymerase master mixes, an effective workflow was developed to successfully genotype 93.9% of SNPs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Natalie Damaso, Emily C. Ashe, Kelly A. Meiklejohn, Mark F. Kavlick, James M. Robertson
Summary: The study demonstrated that PrimeSTAR HS and KAPA HiFi HotStart polymerases outperformed AmpliTaq Gold DNA polymerase for amplifying mtDNA from challenging hair samples, showing a significant increase in yields.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Kelly A. Meiklejohn, Melissa K. R. Scheible, Laura M. Boggs, Robert R. Dunn, Darrell O. Ricke
Summary: SNP genotyping using massively parallel sequencing (MPS) from indoor dust can detect known household occupants, providing valuable supplemental information for forensic investigations.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Teresa M. Tiedge, Kelly A. Meiklejohn
Summary: Soil is a valuable resource in criminal investigations due to its variability and ability to be easily transferred. This study assessed three different soil removal methods and their impact on the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA). The results showed that picking/scraping was the most effective method in terms of DNA concentration, and the removal method had no impact on the recovery of target DNA variants. These findings suggest that picking/scraping is a suitable soil removal method for eDNA analysis.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Nathan J. Butterworth, Phillip G. Byrne, James E. Wallman
JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOR
(2019)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Melanie S. Archer, Stephanie D. Jones, James F. Wallman
FORENSIC SCIENCES RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Entomology
Kelly A. Meiklejohn, James F. Wallman, Thomas Pape
AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2018)