The effect of cyanide exposure to larvae weight for post mortem interval estimation

Abstract

Flies are one type of insect, which decompose the organic component in animals, and human cadavers. Therefore, the insects can be used to help the investigators related to human law. One of the methods to determine Post Mortem Interval [PMI] was by identifying the insects that come in the decay process. Some chemicals can affect the development of the insect and its life cycle. Cyanide is widely used to commit murder in Indonesia. The effect of cyanide on the development and life cycle of insects is a very interesting field to study. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cyanide exposure to larvae weight for PMI estimation. This research was an experimental research that used larvae of Wistar rat carcass. The control group was killed by neck dislocation, while experimental group were killed by oral lethal doses of cyanide. Data were obtained from the measurement and examination of larvae, started from the 1st day until 4<sup>th</sup> day after death. Chrysomya, Sarcophaga, and Lucilia larvae were identified from this study. Sarcophaga larvae first appeared and next day followed by Chrysomya and Lucilia. There were significant differences in Chrysomya larvae weight. There were Chrysomya third instar larvae on the 4<sup>th</sup> day on cyanide group, with 56.4±16.8 mg of weight. There were Chrysomya third instar larvae on the 4<sup>th</sup> day on control group, with 30.4±5.5 mg of weight. The differences of larvae’s weight, among Sarcophaga and Lucilia larvae, could not be determined because there were not enough samples. Chrysomya third instar larvae of cyanide group significantly heavier than control group on 4<sup>th</sup> day. The differences of larvae weight, among Sarcophaga and Lucilia larvae, could not be determined because there were not enough samples.