Entomotoxicology: the effect of ivermectin, methylphenidate and Phenobarbital on the decomposition process, ecological succession, atractiveness to carcases and developmental rates of insects (Diptera) of forensic importance

• Grant number: 11/14029-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Applied Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Arício Xavier Linhares
• Grantee: Arício Xavier Linhares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the main uses of insects in forensic investigations is done by estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) using the knowledge about the biology, ecology and geographical distribution of the insect, and the behavior of all animals present in a body to estimate the time between the occurrence of death. Several factors can interfere in the life cycle of an insect such as temperature, humidity, presence of substances in the tissues of a body (in case of death due to poisoning or overdose) and other, promoting in some cases, acceleration or delay in this cycle and directly affecting the estimate of PMI, if this was based on biological parameters of the insect. Therefore, multiple factors must be evaluated and considered for a more accurate and reliable investigation. With the increase in the number of deaths of animals of economic importance due to drug poisoning, becomes necessary research on veterinary entomotoxicology, an area that lacks specific studies. This paper aims to: a) analyze the carcasses associated fauna, as an animal model using goats (Capra hircus L. aegagrus), killed by an overdose of ivermectin and exposed in a natural environment. b) check for possible differences in immature development of three species of Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance under the effect of methylphenidate and methylphenidate associated with phenobarbital. (AU)