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.