Forensic EntomologyForensic Entomology

Involves the study of insects on Involves the study of insects on decomposed bodies in order to decomposed bodies in order to determine the elapsed time since determine the elapsed time since death.death.

Forensic EntomologyForensic Entomology

    The broad field of forensic entomology The broad field of forensic entomology is commonly broken down into three is commonly broken down into three general areas: general areas:

1.medicolegal 1.medicolegal 2.urban2.urban 3.stored product pests.  3.stored product pests. 

Ways forensic Ways forensic entomology is usedentomology is used

Can tell if body has been moved from Can tell if body has been moved from one site to another.one site to another.

Body has been disturbed after deathBody has been disturbed after death Position and presence of wound sitesPosition and presence of wound sites Drug identificationDrug identification Determine length of time of neglectDetermine length of time of neglect Abuse casesAbuse cases

Common types of insectsCommon types of insects

Common larvae or Common larvae or “maggots”“maggots”

Typical early arrivers Typical early arrivers to a cadaverto a cadaver

Found in almost all Found in almost all statesstates

Common types of insectsCommon types of insects

CockroachesCockroaches species are capable of species are capable of

producing postmortem producing postmortem damage to human skin that damage to human skin that resembles abrasions or resembles abrasions or chemical burns.  chemical burns.  

In many cases these In many cases these abrasions appear as small abrasions appear as small pits in the skin. pits in the skin.

Additionally, roaches often Additionally, roaches often consume human hair, and consume human hair, and may frequently remove entire may frequently remove entire hair shafts during their hair shafts during their feeding. feeding.

Common insectsCommon insects

Flesh fly is a Flesh fly is a common insect found common insect found on many cadavers in on many cadavers in the early stages of the early stages of decomposition.decomposition.

Common insectsCommon insects

Beetle larvaeBeetle larvae Larvae such as these Larvae such as these

are typically found are typically found later in the stages of later in the stages of insect succession, insect succession, after the early after the early arriving flies. arriving flies. 

How diverse is forensic How diverse is forensic entomology? entomology? Here are a few examples: The Here are a few examples: The diverse applications of forensic diverse applications of forensic entomology include the entomology include the detection of abuse in children detection of abuse in children and neglect of the elderly. and neglect of the elderly. 

Examples of uses of Examples of uses of forensic entomologyforensic entomology

Published cases exist that detail parents Published cases exist that detail parents intentionally using wasps and bees to sting intentionally using wasps and bees to sting their children as a form of punishment.their children as a form of punishment.

Analysis of remains of insects that have Analysis of remains of insects that have impacted and lodged on the windshield and impacted and lodged on the windshield and radiators of automobiles can yield evidence to radiators of automobiles can yield evidence to the probable path of an automobile through the probable path of an automobile through particular areas when pinpointing the location particular areas when pinpointing the location and areas of travel are of unique importance. and areas of travel are of unique importance.

INSECTS ARE EVIDENCE!INSECTS ARE EVIDENCE! Forensic Forensic entomology is a very useful method of entomology is a very useful method of determining elapsed time since death after 72 determining elapsed time since death after 72 h. It is accurate to a day or less, or a range of h. It is accurate to a day or less, or a range of days, and may be the only method available to days, and may be the only method available to determine elapsed time since death. It is vital determine elapsed time since death. It is vital that the insects are collected properly and its that the insects are collected properly and its accuracy depends on this and on suitable accuracy depends on this and on suitable conditions for insects. conditions for insects.