Genotyping of human nuclear DNA recovered from the gut of fly larvae

Di Luise, E., Magni, P., Staiti, N., Spitaleri, S. and Romano, C. (2008) Genotyping of human nuclear DNA recovered from the gut of fly larvae. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 1 (1). pp. 591-592.

Abstract

Fly larvae recovered from dead bodies are often examined in medico legal investigation for Post Mortem Interval (P.M.I.) estimations. Some authors also suggested that the gut's content of such insects can be submitted to DNA typing analysis in order to identify the source they have fed on. In this study we aimed to recover suitable human DNA from the crop of third instar maggots (larvae of Calliphoridae) recovered from a cadaver in decay stage of decomposition. Different collection, storage and extraction methods were compared as to DNA overall yield and quality; for this purpose DNA quantification was performed on all the samples by Real Time PCR. Finally autosomal and Y-STR profiles matched positively with the dead man reference sample. Our results showed the suitability of DNA gut's content of fly larvae for forensic purpose; moreover, they confirmed the importance of strict collection and storage guidelines to guarantee successful downstream analysis.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Elsevier
Copyright:	© 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/30758

Item Control Page