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Abstract

Forensic Entomology has been used in murder investigations to help develop an accurate estimate of the time of the death of the victim. This has helped police investigators determine new leads of investigation into potential suspects, as well as helped police to better understand the victim’s actions prior to death.
This research project aimed to determine if spermatozoa cells are visible in the gut of C. vomitoia larvae following their ingestion of boar semen from a simulated fatal sexual assault. This was achieved by extracting the gut content of 10 larvae, and staining them with H&E. Spermatozoa cells were visible in the gut content of all larvae when viewed under 40x magnification under a stereomicroscope.
This study has demonstrated the use of larvae in the investigation of fatal sexual assaults as the gut content of larvae preserves the sperm cells and confirms that there is a possibility to use forensic entomology in the investigation of crimes of this nature. It also contributes to the understanding of the potential for the use of forensic entomology in researching fatal sexual assaults and other murders involving forms of sexual violence.

Course: Criminology and Forensic Studies - BSc (Hons) - C2039F

Date Deposited: 2021-07-01

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13693.html