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                            Funding & Awards
 Generating More Precise Post Mortem Interval Estimates With Entomological Evidence: Reliable Patterns of Gene Expression Throughout Calliphorid Larval and Pupal Development
Award Information
Awardee
              Michigan State University
Award #
              2004-DN-BX-K005
Funding Category
              Competitive
Location
                    East Lansing, MI
Awardee County
              Ingham
Congressional District
              8
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2004
Total funding (to date)
              $185,001
Original Solicitation
              Forensic DNA Research & Development
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2004, $185,001)
Insects, especially flies (Diptera), can be important tools in forensic investigation of deaths, as many insect species eat, breed on, or are otherwise associated with decaying remains. Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae flies are the most useful insects in this type of investigation because they are capable of locating and ovipositing (egg laying) on a corpse within hours or even minutes of death. Based on an approximation of the age of immature flies (larvae or pupae) associated with the body, an estimate of post mortem interval can be made. Presently, length measurements of fly larvae or qualitative analysis of the color of pupae are the most common estimators of immature fly age. The former is useful in age estimates as fly larvae increase linearly in length throughout most of their immature life cycle. However, near the end of larval development flies shrink as they prepare to pupate, meaning age estimates based on length can be inaccurate.  Likewise, it is difficult for investigating forensic entomologists to age pupae due to a dearth of information on pupal development.  The goal of this DNA Research and Development project is to increase the accuracy of entomological evidence used to estimate postmortem interval by focusing on developmentally regulated genes in forensically useful species. Michigan State University's research will be based on determining relative RNA levels of genes that are finely regulated during developmental stages of flies. By examining a series of genes, some of which are up-regulated at certain stages, while others are down-regulated, it should be possible to determine the age of an immature fly with improved accuracy.

ca/ncf



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Gene Expression During Blow Fly Development: Improving the Precision of Age Estimates in Forensic Entomology
                  Correlation Between Skeletal Weathering and DNA Quality and Quantity
                  Aging Blow Fly Egg Using Gene Expression: A Feasibility Study
                  Generating More Precise Post Mortem Interval Estimates With Entomological Evidence: Reliable Patterns of Gene Expression Throughout Calliphorid Larval and Pupal Development, Final Report
                  Components of Developmental Plasticity in a Michigan Population of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

  
Date Created: September 20, 2004
    
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