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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

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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