1.Relationship of Hair Characteristics and Two Largest Ethnic in Malaysia
Rafina Mimi Muhamad ; Pua Hiang ; Atiah Ayunni Abdul Ghani ; Balkhis Bashuri ; Abdul Aziz Ishak ; Khairul Osman
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2012;10(2):19-23
Determination of races in the analysis of hair on scalp is one of the challenges faced in forensic analysis to identify
victims, suspects and crime scene. This study aimed to determine the differences among the two main races in Malaysia
which included Malay and Chinese, through the examination of the characteristics of hair. These includes general features
of the hair, patterns of cuticle, colors, cortex pigment distribution and characteristics of medulla - types, thickness and
medulla index. This study was carried out by using a light microscope and consisted of five steps, which were sample
preparation, examination of common features of hair, preparation and examination of cuticle scales matrix, cortex and
medulla. Result showed that most of the Malay have dark brown pigments while Chinese have pigments of light brown
color. We also noted that thickness of medulla can also be used to differentiate between Malay and Chinese where average
values for Malay and Chinese are 7.59 ± 1.45 μm and 9.12 ± 1.85 μm, respectively. The average values of medulla index
for Malay and Chinese were noticeably different at 0.17 ± 0.02 μm and 0.18 ± 0.02 μm, respectively. However, textures,
thickness of hair, patterns of cuticle scales, and types of medulla do not show any significant difference between Malay and
Chinese. In conclusion, this study has shown that pigment colors, thickness of medulla and medulla index are important
characteristics that can be used to determine race
2.Development of a Forensically Important Fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) on Cow’s Liver and Various Agar-based Diets
Raja Muhammad Zuha ; Supriyani Mustamin ; Balkhis Bashuri ; Nazni Wasi Ahmad ; Baharudin Omar
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2012;10(2):49-52
In forensic entomology practice, it is more common to use raw animal tissue to breed dipteran larvae and it often
brings unpleasant odour in the laboratory. Few studies suggested the use of synthetic diets, mainly agar-based media,
as alternatives to animal tissue but it is rarely being practiced in forensic entomology laboratory. The present study
observed the growth of a forensically important fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) on raw cow’s liver, nutrient agar, casein
agar and cow’s liver agar. A total of 100 M. scalaris eggs were transferred each into the different media and placed in an
incubator at 30°C in a continuous dark condition. Data on length and developmental period were collected by randomly
sampling three of the largest larvae from each rearing media, twice a day at 0900 and 1500 hours until pupariation. M.
scalaris larvae reared on raw cow’s liver recorded the highest mean length (4.23 ± 1.96 mm) followed by cow’s liver
agar (3.79 ± 1.62 mm), casein agar (3.14 ± 1.16 mm) and nutrient agar (3.09 ± 1.11 mm). Larval length in raw liver and
liver agar were significantly different from those in nutrient and casein agar (p < 0.05). Larvae bred in liver agar and
raw liver recorded the shortest larval duration before entering the post-feeding stage (89 hours), followed by nutrient
agar (119 hours) and casein agar (184 hours). Total developmental time from oviposition until adult emergence for
M. scalaris in liver agar and raw liver was approximately 163 hours. All puparia in nutrient agar and casein agar failed
to hatch. This research highlighted the potential use of cow’s liver agar as an alternative diet of raw liver to culture
M. scalaris in laboratory.