Hydrogen cyanamide poisoning: multiple microscopic analyses evidence of forensic entomotoxicology succession on decomposing covered/uncovered rat carrions

Abstract

Background: Forensic entomotoxicology is a crucial field that studies the effects of drugs and poisons on carrion-feeding insects, particularly in crime investigations. Hydrogen cyanamide, a plant growth regulator, is hazardous and used in agriculture but is limited in some countries due to its high cost and severe toxicity. The terrestrial isopod Porcellio laevis plays a vital role in soil ecosystems and biosystem management. Accordingly, authors aimed to examine the impact of hydrogen cyanamide toxicity on arthropods, specifically Porcellio laevis, Musca domestica (House flies), and Sarcophaga sp. (Flesh flies) visiting decomposing covered/uncovered rat carrions, which could be relevant in forensic investigations. A total of 20 rats were divided into two control (I and II, covered/uncovered) and two treated groups (III and IV, covered/uncovered, euthanized using hydrogen cyanamide). Arthropods were gathered bi-daily during the initial week and then once daily for a duration of 1 month and were assessed for growth rate. Morphological and histological alterations were analyzed using light and electron microscopes. Results: The results revealed that hydrogen cyanamide caused a delay in postmortem interval (PMI) by 22–33 h in certain insect species, particularly in uncovered carrion. Severe damage was observed in the carrions of Groups III and IV, specifically Porcellio laevis. Conclusion: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) would be beneficial for scrutinizing insects as postmortem toxicological specimens.