Technical Note: Effects of Makeshift Storage in Different Liquors on Larvae of the Blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Abstract

Simple SummarySometimes, police need to collect fly maggots as evidence. If the proper equipment is not at hand, alternatives might need to be found. This evidence can later be given to a forensic entomologist for further examination. The alternative methods, however, can have unknown effects on the samples. We placed maggots in different alcoholic beverages and measured size changes happening over time to provide experts with such information. Our results show that low alcohol beverages can cause samples to shrink. With knowledge about these specific effects, the samples can still be used for casework in forensic entomology.Unexpected findings of forensically important insects might prompt makeshift storage in alternative liquids if the proper equipment is lacking. The assessment of whether such evidence can still be used and correctly interpreted can be difficult. In this study, the effects of using alcoholic beverages as storing agents for post-feeding larvae of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata were analyzed. Larvae were killed with boiling water (HWK) or placed alive into four alcoholic liquids: two spirits, vodka and brandy, and two liquors, Jägermeister and peppermint schnapps. Storage effects were documented after one day, nine days, and one month and compared to larvae treated according to guidelines for forensic entomology. Results show that the method of killing larvae is more important than the storing medium. Storage of HWK larvae in high-alcohol/low-sugar spirits had almost negligible effects on both species, while all fresh larvae shrank significantly. High sugar contents of the beverages might additionally lead to shrinkage of larvae.