Forensic Entomology (Part I)

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.

Forensic Taphonomy  Reconstruct the circumstances of death  Estimate the time of death

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

Forensic Taphonomy

Forensic Anthropology

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

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology  Forensic Entomology Background  Estimating the Postmortem Interval (PMI)  DNA Analysis of Maggot Crop Contents

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology:

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters.

Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Medicolegal Entomology

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology:

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters.

Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Medicocriminal Entomology

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology:

Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters.

Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Forensic Medical Entomology

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.

Forensic Entomology

History

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

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology:

Study of

insects

and their

arthropod

counterparts that interact with legal matters.

What is an

arthropod

?

What is an

insect

?

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)

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)

Forensic Entomology

Flies Some

flies are attracted to dead bodies.

Carrion Flies:

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

Forensic Entomology

Flies Some

flies are attracted to dead bodies.

Carrion Flies:



Calliphoridae (blow flies)



Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)

 Muscidae (house flies)  Phoridae

Forensic Entomology

Phoridae

 Scuttle flies or coffin flies  Take advantage of physical barriers; larger flies can’t get to body

Forensic Entomology > Flies

Calliphoridae (blow flies)

 Shiny color (bluebottle, greenbottle)  Among the first to arrive at a corpse

Forensic Entomology > Flies

Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)

 Large, gray flies  Also among the first flies to arrive

Forensic Entomology > Beetles

Forensic Entomology > Beetles

Coleoptera (beetles)

Arrive early or late in decomposition process, depending on species

Forensic Entomology > Flies and Beetles

Complete Metamorphosis

1.

Eggs 2.

Larvae 3.

Pupae 4.

Adult