NCJ Number
168688
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1997) Pages: 276-280
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study focused on the effects of the 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its metabolite 3,4- methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in decomposing tissues on the rate of development of the sarcophagid fly Parasarcophaga ruficornis (Fabricus) and on extraction of MDMA from blood, postmortem hepatic tissue, fly larvae, and chitinized insect puparia.
Abstract
The experimental domestic rabbits were given 11, 22.5, and 67 mg of the drug via ear vein infusion. These dosages correspond to a 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 median lethal dose. Larvae from colonies fed on tissues from the rabbit receiving 67 mg, and the control developed more rapidly from hours 24 through 114. The period required for completion of larval development was significantly shorter for the larvae from the colony fed on liver tissues from the rabbit receiving the 67 mg dosage. This colony also had the lowest total mortality rate during development. No significant differences were observed among the colonies in the duration of the puparial period. Analyses by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of the larvae and empty puparial cases following base extraction detected the drug in quantities directly related to the dosage of the drug administered to the rabbits serving as a food source. These results have implications for the determination of time since death when gaged by the development of this insect species. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 20 references