Forensic Entomology Part I

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Forensic Entomology (Part I)
Jason Linville University of Alabama at
Birmingham jglinvil_at_uab.edu
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Taphonomy

• Definition
• The study of the conditions and processes by
  which organisms become fossilized.

Forensically, the focus is usually on the
days-years time frame rather than processes that
occur over thousands of years.
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Forensic Taphonomy

• Reconstruct the circumstances of death

• Estimate the time of death

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Forensic Taphonomy

• Forensic Anthropology

• Usually deal with skeletonized bodies

• Approximately 6 months for surface burial

Can Interpret

• General weathering of the bone
• Damage by carnivore scavengers
• Trace Elements

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Forensic Taphonomy

• Forensic Anthropology

Any time since death estimation is just an
estimation. It can be very difficult when
dealing with skeletonized remains.
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Forensic Entomology
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Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Entomology Background

• Estimating the Postmortem Interval (PMI)

• DNA Analysis of Maggot Crop Contents

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Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Entomology

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts
that interact with legal matters.
Urban Entomology
Stored Product Entomology
Medicolegal Entomology
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Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Entomology

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts
that interact with legal matters.
Urban Entomology
Stored Product Entomology
Medicocriminal Entomology
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Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Entomology

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts
that interact with legal matters.
Urban Entomology
Stored Product Entomology
Forensic Medical Entomology
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Forensic Entomology

• Insects and other arthropods can be used to
  answer

How or where a death occurred.
When did death occur?
Postmortem Interval (PMI) Time between death and
discovery of a corpse.
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Forensic Entomology

• History

• China 13th century. sickle
• Bergeret 1859. dead baby
• Megnin 1890. fathered forensic entomology
• Hall 1948. blowflies
• Greenberg, Nuortowa, Marchenko 70s, 80s

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Forensic Entomology
Forensic Entomology
Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts
that interact with legal matters.
What is an arthropod?
What is an insect?
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Forensic Entomology
Arthropoda (phylum)
class - Arachnida (spiders, scorpions) class -
Chilopoda (centipedes) class Insecta (insects)
order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps) order
Blattaria (cockroaches) order Diptera
(flies) order Coloeoptera (beetles)
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Forensic Entomology
Arthropoda (phylum)
class - Arachnida (spiders, scorpions) class -
Chilopoda (centipedes) class Insecta (insects)
order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps) order
Blattaria (cockroaches) order Diptera
(flies) order Coloeoptera (beetles)
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Forensic Entomology
Flies
Some flies are attracted to dead bodies.
Carrion Flies

• Calliphoridae (blow flies)
• Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)
• Muscidae (house flies)
• Phoridae

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Forensic Entomology
Flies
Some flies are attracted to dead bodies.
Carrion Flies

• Calliphoridae (blow flies)
• Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)
• Muscidae (house flies)
• Phoridae

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Forensic Entomology
Phoridae

• Scuttle flies or coffin flies

• Take advantage of physical barriers larger flies
  cant get to body

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Forensic Entomology gt Flies
Calliphoridae (blow flies)

• Shiny color (bluebottle, greenbottle)

• Among the first to arrive at a corpse

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Forensic Entomology gt Flies
Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)

• Large, gray flies

• Also among the first flies to arrive

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Forensic Entomology gt Beetles
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Forensic Entomology gt Beetles
Coleoptera (beetles)
Arrive early or late in decomposition process,
depending on species
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Forensic Entomology gt Flies and Beetles
Complete Metamorphosis

• Eggs
• Larvae
• Pupae
• Adult