Forensic entomology uses different stages of arthropods as an entomological evidence at death scene to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) using either succession waves or maggot age and its development. The arthropod succession patterns are greatly affected by temperature and humidity. Their development rate also differs physiologically depending on their geographical origin. Therefore the knowledge of local fauna is very useful in forensic investigations. Data from other areas having both different environmental and faunal characteristics might provide insufficient degree of accuracy. The aim of this study is to document arthropod fauna and succession pattern in relation to decomposition stages of human left over parts, in Assiut, Egypt during spring-summer season. The experiment was performed during spring-summer season. Human left over parts from orthopaedic theatre were used. Specimens were placed in a box, floored with soil and protected with scavenger-exclusion cage and placed upon the roof of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University Campus. Inspection of the specimens was done and at each visit flying insects, larvae and crawling species were collected. Immature stages were reared in the laboratory till adult stage in order to be identified. The results of main insects group were discussed in relation to decomposition stages. Many insect species were identified and the following orders were represented: Diptera (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae), Coleoptera (Dermestidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). Preliminary documentation of entomofauna of Assiut city (arid, urban environment) revealed that Diptera was the predominant order followed by Coleoptera. Chrysomya albiceps was the predominant species and the only Calliphora species found to colonize the human tissues.

Forensic entomology uses different stages of arthropods as an entomological evidence at death scene to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) using either succession waves or maggot age and its development. The arthropod succession patterns are greatly affected by temperature and humidity. Their development rate also differs physiologically depending on their geographical origin. Therefore the knowledge of local fauna is very useful in forensic investigations. Data from other areas having both different environmental and faunal characteristics might provide insufficient degree of accuracy. The aim of this study is to document arthropod fauna and succession pattern in relation to decomposition stages of human left over parts, in Assiut, Egypt during spring-summer season. The experiment was performed during spring-summer season. Human left over parts from orthopaedic theatre were used. Specimens were placed in a box, floored with soil and protected with scavenger-exclusion cage and placed upon the roof of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University Campus. Inspection of the specimens was done and at each visit flying insects, larvae and crawling species were collected. Immature stages were reared in the laboratory till adult stage in order to be identified. The results of main insects group were discussed in relation to decomposition stages. Many insect species were identified and the following orders were represented: Diptera (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae), Coleoptera (Dermestidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). Preliminary documentation of entomofauna of Assiut city (arid, urban environment) revealed that Diptera was the predominant order followed by Coleoptera. Chrysomya albiceps was the predominant species and the only Calliphora species found to colonize the human tissues.

Forensic entomology uses different stages of arthropods as an entomological evidence at death scene to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) using either succession waves or maggot age and its development. The arthropod succession patterns are greatly affected by temperature and humidity. Their development rate also differs physiologically depending on their geographical origin. Therefore the knowledge of local fauna is very useful in forensic investigations. Data from other areas having both different environmental and faunal characteristics might provide insufficient degree of accuracy. The aim of this study is to document arthropod fauna and succession pattern in relation to decomposition stages of human left over parts, in Assiut, Egypt during spring-summer season. The experiment was performed during spring-summer season. Human left over parts from orthopaedic theatre were used. Specimens were placed in a box, floored with soil and protected with scavenger-exclusion cage and placed upon the roof of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University Campus. Inspection of the specimens was done and at each visit flying insects, larvae and crawling species were collected. Immature stages were reared in the laboratory till adult stage in order to be identified. The results of main insects group were discussed in relation to decomposition stages. Many insect species were identified and the following orders were represented: Diptera (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae), Coleoptera (Dermestidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). Preliminary documentation of entomofauna of Assiut city (arid, urban environment) revealed that Diptera was the predominant order followed by Coleoptera. Chrysomya albiceps was the predominant species and the only Calliphora species found to colonize the human tissues.

Insect can be used as alternative specimens for toxicological analysis when conventional post-mortem samples are not available as drugs that can be detected in severely decomposed tissues of a corpse may still be found in the insects that did feed on the corpse. Several studies illustrate the great potential importance of entomotoxicology for providing additional information on cause of death. This study was aimed to study the effect of intoxication with codeine phosphate in decomposed bodies on the development of carrion flies and on the evaluation of postmortem interval (PMI). The experiment was performed during summer season from last of June to the mid of July. Four rabbits, two control and two injected with lethal dose of codeine phosphate were used. Each one was placed in a cardboard box, floored with muddy soil and protected with a metal cage. Different developmental stages of Chrysomya albiceps were collected and studied for both biological and morphological changes using dissecting light microscopy. There were morphological changes in the form of disfiguring of segments, loss of colouration and abnormalities in the shape of both anterior and posterior spiracles in the larvae, while the adult flies show rudimentary wings, abnormal bands on the undersurface of the abdomen, fading of normal colour to complete loss of it. Also there were biological changes in the form of acceleration in the development during life cycle and incomplete emerge of some adult flies from their pupae in the injected group. These acceleration of development lead to bias in estimation of postmortem interval up to 24h when estimation based on larval development and 48h when estimation based on pupal development. This work should provide data for the use of morphological and biological changes that occur in Chysomya albiceps as indicator for death from lethal dose of codeine phosphate and to estimate the post mortem interval.

Insect can be used as alternative specimens for toxicological analysis when conventional post-mortem samples are not available as drugs that can be detected in severely decomposed tissues of a corpse may still be found in the insects that did feed on the corpse. Several studies illustrate the great potential importance of entomotoxicology for providing additional information on cause of death. This study was aimed to study the effect of intoxication with codeine phosphate in decomposed bodies on the development of carrion flies and on the evaluation of postmortem interval (PMI). The experiment was performed during summer season from last of June to the mid of July. Four rabbits, two control and two injected with lethal dose of codeine phosphate were used. Each one was placed in a cardboard box, floored with muddy soil and protected with a metal cage. Different developmental stages of Chrysomya albiceps were collected and studied for both biological and morphological changes using dissecting light microscopy. There were morphological changes in the form of disfiguring of segments, loss of colouration and abnormalities in the shape of both anterior and posterior spiracles in the larvae, while the adult flies show rudimentary wings, abnormal bands on the undersurface of the abdomen, fading of normal colour to complete loss of it. Also there were biological changes in the form of acceleration in the development during life cycle and incomplete emerge of some adult flies from their pupae in the injected group. These acceleration of development lead to bias in estimation of postmortem interval up to 24h when estimation based on larval development and 48h when estimation based on pupal development. This work should provide data for the use of morphological and biological changes that occur in Chysomya albiceps as indicator for death from lethal dose of codeine phosphate and to estimate the post mortem interval.