Forensic entomology is used in criminal investigations for post-mortem dating of cadavers. The aims of this study was to evaluate the endogenous knowledge of necrophagous insects of six target groups of workers in two climatic zones of Burkina Faso for their application in criminal investigations. The survey was conducted among 223 informants splited in six target groups in four cities and eight villages belonging to Sudano-Sahelian and Sudanian climatic zones. The study was conducted on the knowledge of necrophagous insects from exhumed and exposed corpses to the air. Chi-square tests and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to check for species diversity distributions significant differences in knowledge and climatic zones of study. The different phases of insect succession on post-mortem corpses were cited. The results showed that knowledge of the species varies from one species to another. The most cited species are Calliphoridae larvae and pupae with a frequency of citation of 16.54% for open corpses Astrapaeus sp. with a frequency of citation of 32.25% for exhumed corpses. The citation of species also varied according to locality climatic zone and function of the informants. Traditional gravediggers and funeral workers cited more species than other justice actors. The species of Chrysomya sp. and Lucilia sp. are species found to be specific to the West African area and were mentioned for the first time in Burkina Faso. The knowledge of necrophagous insects by the informants in this survey opens new perspectives for entomological expertise in criminal investigations in Burkina Faso.
Background
In resource-limited countries, ABO, HLA, MNS, Kells, and hemoglobin electrophoresis are classic tests for the resolution of paternity disputes due to their affordable cost. The limitations of these tests in cases of disputed paternity require the use of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) for their certification. This study aimed to determine the biological fathers of children using ABO-rhesus/hemoglobin electrophoresis and STR assays in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Results
Of the fourteen trios studied, the ABO-rhesus/hemoglobin electrophoresis analysis revealed ten probable inclusion cases, three exclusion cases, and one undetermined paternity. DNA STR analysis found five inclusions of paternity out of the ten probable inclusions with ABO-rhesus/hemoglobin electrophoresis assay versus nine exclusions of paternity.
Conclusion
This study showed that the implementation of the analysis of short tandem repeat is required to resolve increasing disputed filiation cases in Burkina Faso.
Background: the establishment of filiation by the current ABO, HLA, MNS, Kells and serum tests, pose a real reliability problem. It is then necessary to combine these methods with or to use high-performance methods such as microsatellite genetic analysis or short tandem repeats. This study aimed to compare the short tandem repeat technique with ABO/Rhesus system in combination with electrophoresis of hemoglobin. Methods: Fourteen (14) contested paternity trios were investigated. Blood samples were collected to determine blood groups using the Beth-Vincent method and the type of hemoglobin by electrophoresis. Blood spots on FTA paper were used for the analysis of 16 STR loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, FGA, Amel) by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 31310 Genetic Analyzer. The generated sequences were analyzed with GeneMapper® software version 3.2.1. The data were analyzed to determine the paternity index and the probability of paternity. Results: Of the fourteen (14) trios studied, ten (10) cases were probable inclusion, three (03) cases were exclusion and one (01) case was an undetermined paternity outcome with the ABO-Rhesus/ electrophoresis of hemoglobin system. While the analysis of genetic polymorphisms in DNA gave five (05) inclusions versus nine (09) exclusions of paternity. Of the 10 probable inclusion cases given by the ABO-Rhesus/Electrophoresis of hemoglobin system, only 05 cases (50%) were confirmed for inclusion by Short tandem repeat analysis. Conclusion: The analysis of short tandem repeat with sixteen genetic markers is more reliable in determining paternity than ABO-Rhesus/hemoglobin electrophoresis techniques.
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