Cytochrome Oxidase I gene based identification of forensically important species of Indian flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Abstract

Fauna found in and around the corpse is very crucial for the estimation of post mortem interval (PMI) i.e., the time elapsed since death. The collected fauna can be identified morphological by using various keys but problem arise when insects are morphologically similar or the body is broken or fragmented making it difficult for the taxonomists to identify the fauna. Amplification of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene is often tried as identification method. The use of 465 bp fragment of COI gene for differentiation of three forensically significant species of flesh flies in India has been illustrated.