Forensic entomology in Malaysia: a review

Abstract

Forensic entomology has been regarded as one of the most useful fields in forensic sciences especially in estimating postmortem interval. Since the last 30 years, researches in this field have evolved tremendously throughout the world, which ranged from factors influencing the development of necrophagous insects, the use of molecular-based techniques in assisting taxonomic identification of species, to the use of necrophagous insects in drawing toxicological inferences. In Malaysia, researches on species compositions and development of necrophagous insects recovered from dead bodies as well as infesting animal models decomposing in various conditions have been conducted in several states viz. Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan. However, such data from the other states within Peninsular Malaysia as well as from the East Malaysia i.e. Sarawak and Sabah are currently lacking. Although data on the influence of malathion and gasoline on species composition and development of necrophagous insects are available, similar studies focusing on other poisons that are used for committing suicides such as paraquat and other pesticides as well as rodenticides have not been reported, so far. In the context of taxonomic identification of species using molecular-based techniques, the use of cytochrome oxidase genes has been attempted. In addition, quantitative and qualitative determinations of poisons in necrophagous maggots for suggesting the cause of death have been reported. This paper reviews all pertinent studies conducted in the field of forensic entomology in Malaysia.