Forensic Entomology

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Forensic Entomology

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

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Forensic Entomology

•   The broad field of forensic entomology is
  commonly broken down into three general areas
• 1.medicolegal
• 2.urban
• 3.stored product pests. 

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Ways forensic entomology is used

• Can tell if body has been moved from one site to
  another.
• Body has been disturbed after death
• Position and presence of wound sites
• Drug identification
• Determine length of time of neglect
• Abuse cases

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Common types of insects

• Common larvae or maggots
• Typical early arrivers to a cadaver
• Found in almost all states

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Common types of insects

• Cockroaches
• species are capable of producing postmortem
  damage to human skin that resembles abrasions or
  chemical burns.  
• In many cases these abrasions appear as small
  pits in the skin.
• Additionally, roaches often consume human hair,
  and may frequently remove entire hair shafts
  during their feeding.

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Common insects

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

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Common insects

• Beetle larvae
• Larvae such as these are typically found later in
  the stages of insect succession, after the early
  arriving flies. 

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

• Published cases exist that detail parents
  intentionally using wasps and bees to sting their
  children as a form of punishment.
• Analysis of remains of insects that have impacted
  and lodged on the windshield and radiators of
  automobiles can yield evidence to the probable
  path of an automobile through particular areas
  when pinpointing the location and areas of travel
  are of unique importance.

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