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Optical coherence tomography : age estimation of Calliphora vicina pupae in vivo?
journal contribution
posted on 2014-09-01, 00:00 authored by K Brown, Michelle HarveyMichelle HarveyNecrophagous blowfly pupae are valuable contributors to the estimation of post-mortem interval, should an accurate age estimate be obtained. At present, this is reliant on a combination of rearing and destructive methods conducted on preserved samples, including morphological observation and gene expression analyses. This study demonstrates the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a tool for in vivo morphological observation and pupal age estimation. Using a Michelson OCT microscope, alive and preserved four and ten-day old Calliphora vicina pupae were scanned in different orientations. Two and three-dimensional images were created. Morphological characteristics such as the brain, mouthparts and legs were identifiable in both living and preserved samples, with distinct differences noted between the two ages. Absorption of light by the puparium results in a vertical resolution of 1-2 mm, preventing observation of deeper tissues. The use of contrast agents or a longer wavelength laser would improve the images obtainable. At present, the data suggests OCT provides a primary view of external and internal morphology, which can be used to distinguish younger and older pupae for further analysis of age and PMI estimation.
History
Journal
Forensic science internationalVolume
242Pagination
157 - 161Publisher
ElsevierLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
eISSN
1872-6283Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2014, ElsevierUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Age estimationCalliphora vicinaForensic entomologyMicroscopyOptical coherence tomographyPupaeScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineMedicine, LegalLegal MedicineMAGNETIC-RESONANCE MICROSCOPYGENE-EXPRESSIONDIPTERA CALLIPHORIDAEPOSTMORTEM INTERVALCOMPUTED TOMOGRAPHYMORPHOLOGYMETAMORPHOSISBRAINHEARTFLYINSECTS
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