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Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology. How the little critters can help. Insects are predictable. Because we can observe the behavior of insects, we can establish a timeline that can indicate approx. time of death First, the general effect of time on a body:

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Forensic Entomology

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  1. Forensic Entomology How the little critters can help

  2. Insects are predictable • Because we can observe the behavior of insects, we can establish a timeline that can indicate approx. time of death • First, the general effect of time on a body: • Fresh: immediately following death and before bloating. • Bloated stage: gases produced by decomposition within the body cause it to swell. • Active decay: larvae penetrate the abdomen, causing deflation • Advanced decay: majority of internal tissue lost, other internal elements beginning to liquefy. • Dry remains: soft tissue lost, leaving skin, bone and cartilage.

  3. It’s hard to establish an exact time that is standard • Climate concerns: • Temp • Moisture • Location • Types of indigenous insects differ area to area

  4. General Life Cycles are Important • Egg • Larva • Pupa • Adult • Predictable times

  5. Other insects Dermistids Roves Silphids Scarabs Skin Beetles Carrion Beetles Late Stages

  6. Points of interest: • Myiasis=> Where maggots feed on living material • Dermistid Beetles used to clear flesh from skeletons

  7. Some limiting factors: • Time of day- • Flies don’t lay eggs at night • Geography • Different climates- different insects • Season • Especially in N.E.(Temperate zones) • Microclimate • Was the body in the sun? • Habitat • Urban locations vs. City

  8. Bodies in buildings • Different accessability • Greater flies, less beatles • Burial • Denies surface access (flies) • Bodies in water • Submerged- only aquatic insects • Partial- flies & aquatics • Wrapping • Could restrict access of some • Flies access anyway

  9. Scavenger activity • Actually doing same job macroscopically • Alters A LOT • Where, how, insects • Burning • High temps offset normal measures • Cracked skin allowed easier access • Body NEVER entirely consumed

  10. In Summary: • Insect determination is a science that must be known only by investigation in that region • Many variables must be controlled • Predictable but must establish COMPARISION • How is this done?- Experimentation!!

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