Bugs – entomology – role of insects, TOD, collection and identity

By:

Zakiya & Ilexuz

DID YOU KNOW?!

• Bugs are everywhere and are used for a lot of things, but did you know they can also help scientists figure out who hit you in the head and knocked you out permanently!

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/june/crime-scene-insect-investigation-boost13073.html

What role do bugs/insects play in a crime scene investigation?

What is the first bug at a crime scene, and what is it’s life cycle ?

• http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/blow_flies.html , http://www.forensicentomology.com/appear.htm#bwfl

What part of the body attracts the bugs to the body and why?

• http://www.expertlaw.com/library/forensic_evidence/forensic_entomology.html

Other than the Blow Fly, what other bugs are attracted to the corpse and at what stage

do they start to appear?

http://cienciaforense.com/Pages/Entomology/Overview.htm

How can the blood from a flesh eating bug contribute to solving a crime?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/forensic-entomology.htm/printable

Does the weather determine what type of bug will invade the body and explain?

http://www.sfu.ca/~ganderso/forensicentomology.htm

A Case Study: Skeleton Remains of a Young Girl

In Oahu, Hawaii skeleton remains were found in a shallow grave covered in dirt with bones partially exposed from the ground. The Skull facing upward and lower jaw located a meter

from the skull …. Click link to read more.

http://www.clt.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/112507/fse09_case_studies.pdf

Stages of Decomposition

What Does the Future Hold?

• Scanning electron microscopy- A new technology created in 2007 to figure out the form and ways of an egg and maggots. Requires the use of expensive equipment.

• Potassium permanganate staining- When scanning cost too much this is the easier way to go. Involves only a few steps ..

• Mitochondrial DNA- A method created in 2001, that uses mitochondria DNA to differentiate between different species of the subfamily.

Bibliography

Anderson, Dr.Gail S. Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sfu.ca/ ~ganderso/forensicentomology.htm>. Blow Flies. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/blow_flies.html>. Byrd, Dr. J H. Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.forensicentomology.com/appear.htm#bwfl>. Fuller, John. How Stuff Works. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/ forensic-entomology.htm/printable>. Gamber, Michelle. Bugs and Bodies and Crime Scene Investigation. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4197>. Natural History Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2008/ june/crime-scene-insect-investigation-boost13073.html>. Stærkeby, Morten. Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://cienciaforense.com/ Pages/Entomology/Overview.htm>.