Journal of Forensic Research

Identification of a Death-scene Maggot using Standardized Molecular Methods:Sarcophagabullata Parker 1916(Sarcophagidae) Out-numbers Blowflies (Calliphoridae)on an Urban Cadaver in Southeastern Texas

Abstract

Rekha Raghavendra, Christopher P. Randle and Sibyl Rae Bucheli

In forensic entomology,fly data including maggot age are frequently used to help estimate the time since death.Accurate identification of the maggot to species is critical for time since death estimations. However, within a family, maggots are notoriously difficult to identify to species.In this study, we employ phylogenetic datafrom the mtDNAgenes COI and COII to identify an unknown maggot to species (member of the family Sarcophagidae) harvested from a cadaver in June 2009 in Harrison County, Texas. The most closely related species to our unknown maggot was SarcophagabullataParker 1916, a somewhat common carrion-feeding species in southeastern United States that is now gaininggreater recognition as a forensically significant species.