Download - forenentocard.pdf
-
7/25/2019 forenentocard.pdf
1/2
T. Trimpe 2009 http://sciencespot.net/
Forensic entomologists apply their
entomology to provide informationinvestigations.
A forensic entomologists job may includ
Identification of insects at various sta
cycle, such as eggs, larva, nymphs, pu
Collection and preservation of insects
Determining an estimate for the post
or PMI (the time between death and t
the body) using factors such as i
weather conditions, location and c
body, etc.
Testifying in court to explain insect-r
found at a crime scene.
What do they dWhat do they dWhat do they dWhat do they d
Insects as evideInsects as evideInsects as evideInsects as evide
Forensic entomologists use their knowledg
and their life cycles and behaviors to g
about a crime. Most insects used in forensi
are in two major orders: Diptera (flies)
(beetles).
Species succession may provide clues fo
Some insect species may feed on a fres
another species may prefer to feed on on
dead for two weeks. Other insect species
insects feeding on the corpse may also be f
Weatherdata is also an important tool in
evidence from a corpse. Investigators wil
the temperature of the air, ground surfac
area between the body and the ground, an
the body as well as the temperature insi
masses. They will also collect weather
daily temperature (highs/lows) and pre
period of time before the body was discovthe insect evidence was collected.
Other factors that might affect their PM1. Was the body was enclosed in an area
material that would have prevented fli
the corpse and laying eggs?
2. Were other insect species present t
affected the development of the collect
3. Were there drugs or other poisons in
that might have affected the larvaes de
Did yMaggot
corpse
or dru
up or
develoBlow Fly Larva
Blow FlyBlow FlyBlow FlyBlow Fly
It takes ap14 -16 day
adultdepe
temper
humidity
location
1st
Adult flies lay eggs onwound areas or around the op
the nose, eyes, ears, anus, etc.
2nd Eggs hatch into larva (ma
3rd
Larvae continue to gr
exoskeletons) as they pass t
stages.
1stInstar - 5 mm long after
2ndInstar - 10 mm long afte
3rd
Instar 14-16 mm long
4th The larvae (17 mm)
burrowing in surrounding soil.
5th Adult flies emerge from p
Blow flies are attracted to de
within minutes of the deathcompletelife cycle that consi
adultstages.
Label the diagram.
knowledge of
for criminal
e:
es of their life
a, and adults.
s evidence.
ortem interval
he discovery of
sect evidence,
ndition of the
lated evidence
? ? ? ?
ce ce ce ceof insectsand
ive them clues
c investigations
nd Coleoptera
r investigators.
corpse, while
that has been
that prey on the
und.
nalyzing insect
l make note of
, the interfacethe soilunder
e any maggot
data related to
ipitation for a
ered to the day
estimates:r wrapped in a
s from finding
hat may have
d species?
or on the body
velopment?
ou know?s can be used to test a
or the presence of poisons
s. Some drugs can speed
slow down the insects
ment.
ife Cycle ife Cycle ife Cycle ife Cycle
proximatelyfrom eggto
nding on the
turesand
levelsat the
f the body.
the carcass especially atnings in the body such as
ggots) in 12-24 hours.
w and molt (shed their
rough the various instar
1.8 days
r 2.5 days
fter 4-5 days
develop into pupa after
upa cases after 6-8 days.
ad bodies and often arriv
f an animal. They have ts of egg, larva, pupa, an
-
7/25/2019 forenentocard.pdf
2/2
T. Trimpe 2009 http://sciencespot.net/Source: http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/_fpclass/forensic2
Did you know? The Body Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee is a university research facility to investigate hum
decomposition under various conditions in order to understand the factors which affect its rate.
Examples of ColeopteraExamples of ColeopteraExamples of ColeopteraExamples of Coleoptera
Early Stage
Decomposition
Late Sta e Decom osition
Early to Late Stage
Decomposition
Examples of DipteraExamples of DipteraExamples of DipteraExamples of Diptera
Early Stage Decomposition
Late Sta e Decom osition