USE of lucilia sericata larvae in entomo toxicological studies in forensic sciences

The body is important proof for solving a forensic judicial case. The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate the reliability of insect larvae as samples for toxicological investigations and to compare the methods that was developed in larvae and liver samples. Analytical entomotoxicology is a basic area of forensic toxicology, where a few studies exist in literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of insects as alternative specimens for toxicological evidence. For this purpose, larvae of Lucilia sericata were reared on samples of minced chicken liver treated with different concentrations of amitriptyline and morphine; regarding therapeutic, toxic, and potentially lethal doses. A method was developed for amitriptyline determination in larvae and liver and morphine detection in larvae. Amitriptyline and morphine was detected in all tested larvae samples, confirming the reliability of these specimens for qualitative toxicology analysis. Quantitative concentrations of amitriptyline measured in larvae were correlated with levels in liver tissue. The recoveries for morphine was not repeatable, the method could only be used to detect this drug qualitatively. These observations bring new elements regarding the potential use of drug analysis in larvae for estimation of drug levels in human tissues. This research purposes to determine PMI, reasons of death that died because of drug poisoning, using fly larvaes. Also this research offer a new method to forensic science. Key Words: Entomotoxicology, tricyclic antidepressants, opiates, forensic entomology, Lucilia sericata, larvae