Page 71 - IMR Annual Report 2022: Institute for Medical Research
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Annual
IMR
Report2022 55
INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
Forensic Entomology Diagnostic in Medical
Entomology Unit
The unit provides diagnostic service for forensic entomology in estimating
the minimum post-mortem interval (mPMI) for crime investigation and also
identification of insects, especially flies and beetles. The procedures consist of
mounting for larvae, colonisation from larvae till adult and molecular detection for
species confirmation. In 2022, the unit received 90 cases of forensic entomology.
In comparison, the unit received 106 forensic entomology cases in 2021.
Forensic Entomology Diagnostic Tests at the Medical Entomology Unit
No. Test Diagnostics and services No. of samples
Mounting of dead specimens
1 Mounting (immature stages of forensic 900
flies) for mPMI
Identification of immature
2 Molecular PCR stages of forensic flies and 240
beetles for species confirmation
Rearing of live specimens
Adult Rearing Depends on number of
3 (immature stages of forensic
(Flies colonisation) specimens received
flies) for species confirmation
Medical Entomology Unit Diagnostic Tests for
Malaria and Filaria
Every year, mosquito samples from malaria/filaria endemic areas are sent to the
unit from the State Health Department. Confirmation tests were conducted via
molecular approach.
Tests for Malaria and Filaria
Year
No. Test Disease Remark
2021 2022
1 Molecular detection
of malaria parasite The number of
species (Plasmodium samples received
falciparum, P. vivax, P. 102 195 increased due to
malariae, P. ovale and P. Malaria samples samples simian malaria
knowlesi) in Anopheles cases. No sample of
mosquitoes in malaria indigenous human Research Centre (IDRC) Infectious Diseases
cases area using malaria received
conventional PCR
2 Molecular detection Active filariasis
of filarial parasites screening activities
(Brugia malayi and Filariasis 340 421 conducted by
Wuchereria bancrofti) samples samples District Health Office
in mosquitoes using for elimination
conventional PCR purpose
TOTAL TESTS 442 616
