EFFECTS OF TOXINS ON FORENSIC ARTHROPODS

Abstract

 Entomotoxicology deals with the analysis of toxins in arthropods mainly flies and beetles that feed on carrion. Using arthropods in a corpse or at a crime scene, investigators can determine whether toxins were present in a body at the time of death. In recent years, with the development of modern extraction technologies, attention has been focused on analysis of chitinised insect remains as an alternative toxicological specimens in situations where traditional toxicological sources such as blood, urine or solid tissues are unavailable or not suitable for analysis and studies Drugs can have a variety of effects on development rates of arthropods. Substances like Cocaine, Heroin, Methylene Dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and Amitriptyline are commonly encountered in cases where forensic entomotoxicology is used. Entomological samples are analyzed in similar standards to human tissue samples. Specimens are prepared for analysis in a variety of ways. However, they differ based upon the substance that is in question. As a result, this study is focused on Arthropods function as prove to be valuable tools in the investigation of homicides, suicides, and other unattended human deaths. Whereat, entomotoxicology can provide alternative specimens for Toxicological factors especially drug detection in decomposed bodies