Pritam, Helmi Mohd Hadi
(2006)
Nocturnal Ovipositioning of Flies.
Other.
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Post-mortem interval (PMI) is calculated by ascertaining the age of the immature
stages of blow flies demonstrating the longest period of association with decomposed
human remains. The time at which the flies oviposit is generally assumed to be during the
day time in which the flies are known to be active. A few researchers have indicated that
limited number of flies do oviposit during night hours and under artificial lighting
although studies on twilight ovipositioning have not been carried out so far. Moreover,
previous researchers have indicated the use of mutton purchased from the market which
does not preclude the possibility of flies depositing the eggs in the market place. This
thesis is the compendium of findings of a research that addressed, for the first time, the
possibility of ovipositioning during twilight as well as using beef purchased directly from
the slaughter house in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The control and night experiments were
carried out inside the campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. The results indicate
the possibility of limited ovipositioning during the twilight period which further declines
during the night period although ovipositioning is found significantly delayed by 4 to 5
days after continuous exposure of the animal model during the twilight and night time
while diurnal oviposition in the control animal model does not indicate such delay. It is
argued here that the delayed appearance of limited maggots attributable to nocturnal
ovipositioning need not be construed as a factor attributing to estimating longer PMI since
the maggots on account of immediate diurnal ovipositioning are the ones that are longer
and considered for estimating PMI. It is suggested that PMI has to be estimated only by
considering diurnal ovipositioning and the possibility of disposal during night has to be
left for the investigating agency to establish through evidence other than entomological.
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