Forensic Analysis of Paraquat's Effects on Carrion Insects. Implications for Post-Mortem Interval Determination

The primary objective of this study is to examine the entomotoxicological impacts of paraquat dichloride herbicide on carrion insects in a forensic context.

Conducted at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, the research explored the effect of paraquat on rabbit carcasses and the associated carrion insect populations. Dominant insect families were Calliphoridae and Muscidae, with Sarcophagidae also present but less dominant.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• DEDICATION
• Table of Contents
• ABSTRACT
• CHAPTER ONE
  • INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Entomotoxicology
  • 1.2 Carrion insects
  • 1.3 Paraquat
  • 1.4 Justification for the study
  • 1.5 Aims and objectives of the study
• CHAPTER TWO
  • LITERATURE REVIEW
  • 2.0 Introduction
  • 2.1 Decomposition
    • 2.1.1 Stages of Decomposition
  • 2.2 Insect succession
  • 2.3 Factors affecting insect succession
    • 2.3.1 Biogeoclimatic conditions
    • 2.3.2 Temperature And Humidity
  • 2.4 Types of Carrion Insects and Arthropod
    • 2.4.1 Calliphoridae
    • 2.4.2 Sarcophgidae
    • 2.4.3 Musidae
    • 2.4.4 Piophilidae
    • 2.4.5 Silphidae
    • 2.4.6 Staphylinidae
    • 2.4.7 Cleridae
    • 2.4.8 Dermestidae
    • 2.4.9 Nitidulidae
    • 2.4.10 Geotrupidae
    • 2.4.11 Trogidae
  • 2.5 Paraquat
  • 2.6 Review of Previous literatures in Nigeria
• CHAPTER THREE
  • MATERIALS AND METHOD
  • 3.1 Study Site
  • 3.2.1 Sample collection and processing
  • 3.2.2 Preparation of Pigs for Set-up
  • 3.2.3 Mounting the rabbits
  • 3.2.4 Sampling of carrion insect stages
  • 3.3 Measurement of larval body length and weight
  • 3.4 Measurement of carcass temperature and humidity
• CHAPTER FOUR
  • RESULTS
  • 4.1 Abundance and species composition of carrion insects on rabbit carcass
  • 4.2 Carrion insect succession on rabbit carcass
  • 4.3 Effects of paraquat on the length and weight of the control and 200ml larva
  • 4.4 Variations in environmental variables at the field site
• CHAPTER FIVE
  • DISCUSSION
  • 5.1 Abundance and specie composition of carrion insects on rabbit carcass
  • 5.2 Carrion insect succession on rabbit carcass
  • 5.3 Effects of paraquat on the length and weigth of larva
  • 5.4 Variations in environmental variables at the field site
  • 5.5 CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES
• LIST OF TABLES
• LIST OF FIGURES

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This study aims to evaluate the entomotoxicological effects of paraquat dichloride herbicide on carrion insects using euthanized rabbits. The research investigates the impact of paraquat on the abundance, succession, and development of carrion insect species.

• Entomotoxicological effects of paraquat on carrion insects
• Influence of paraquat on insect abundance and species composition
• Analysis of carrion insect succession patterns in the presence of paraquat
• Impact of paraquat on larval development, including length and weight
• Correlation between environmental variables and carrion insect activity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter One: Introduction This chapter introduces the concepts of entomotoxicology, carrion insects, and paraquat dichloride herbicide. It outlines the justification for the study, which focuses on the ecological impact of paraquat on carrion insect communities. The chapter concludes with the specific aims and objectives of the research.
• Chapter Two: Literature Review Chapter two provides a comprehensive overview of relevant literature on carrion decomposition, insect succession, and the effects of various factors on insect activity. It explores the types of carrion insects commonly found in forensic entomology and examines previous research on the impact of paraquat in Nigeria.
• Chapter Three: Materials and Methods This chapter details the methodology employed in the study. It describes the study site, the preparation and mounting of rabbit carcasses, the collection and processing of insect samples, and the measurement of various parameters such as larval length, weight, carcass temperature, and humidity.
• Chapter Four: Results Chapter four presents the findings of the study, focusing on the abundance and species composition of carrion insects, the succession patterns observed, the effects of paraquat on larval development, and the variation in environmental variables at the field site.
• Chapter Five: Discussion The final chapter provides an in-depth analysis and discussion of the results presented in Chapter four. It explores the implications of the findings for understanding the entomotoxicological effects of paraquat and its potential impact on forensic entomology and ecological communities.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Forensic entomology, entomotoxicology, paraquat dichloride, carrion insects, insect succession, abundance, species composition, larval development, environmental variables, decomposition.

Details

• College: University of Ibadan
• Grade: A
• Author: Emmanuel Tyokumbur (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 57
• Catalog Number: V1364235
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346890757
• ISBN (Book): 9783346890764
• Language: English
• Tags: Forensics Crime Entomotoxicology Paraquat Rabbits Carrion insects