Forensic Entomology and its
Impacts in Forensic Science
Jordan Green
25 April, 2014
Entomology
I
Love
Entomology
Forensic Entomology
• Branch of Zoology that studies entomological
significance in criminal cases involving animal
abuse, neglect, and homicide
• One of the youngest and least represented
branches of forensic science
• Deals most heavily with: flies (Calliphoridae,
Sarcophagidae, Muscidae), and beetles
(Histeridae, Dermestidae, Staphylinidae)
Uses for Forensic Entomology
Medicocriminal:
Civil Proceedings
Abuse and neglect cases
Homicide Investigations
Photos courtesy Dr. Heather Ketchum,
University of Oklahoma
Blow Fly Life Cycle
Stages of Decay
• Fresh
• Bloat
• Active
• Dry
----------
Fresh
Staphylinidae
Silphidae
Calliphoridae
Bloat
Staphylinidae
Calliphoridae
Silphidae
Cleridae
Histeridae
Sarcophagidae
Staphylinidae
Active
Calliphoridae
Silphidae
Histeridae
Cleridae
Scarabaeidae
Sarcophagidae
Dry
Dermestidae
Silphidae
Calliphoridae
Scarabaeidae
Nitidulidae
Cleridae
Trogidae
Histeridae
But What does it Mean?
The process just described is called Succession
Insect 1
Insect 2
Insect 3
Insect 2
Insect 4
Insect 3
Insect 4
Post-Mortem Interval
Succession, stage of decay, and
maggot development are used in
the calculation of PMI
Assumption:
Flies detect and oviposit on
corpse soon after death
Question:
Can post mortem interval be accurately
determined using succession in homicides set in
dissimilar ecological surroundings?
Arthropod Activity
Results
• While differing habitats produced minor changes
in arthropod diversity, a noticeable difference was
still perceived
• Differences in fly development, when coupled
with temperature and relative moisture content of
habitats provided accurate PMI determinations
• As few as two species of fly can significantly alter
PMI calculations
Future Considerations
• Succession studies in other
environments
• Changes in succession due to carcass
tampering (burying, hanging,
burning)
• Affects of repeated desiccation and
rehydration of carcasses
Acknowledgements
• Nadine McCrady-Borovicka, M.S.
• Dr. Pamela Staton
• Dr. Nathan Green
References
• Amendt, J., C. S. Richards, C. P. Campobasso, R. Zehner, and
M. J. R. Hall. 2011. Forensic entomology: applications and
limitations. Forensic Sci. Med. Pathol. 7: 379-392.
• Campobasso, C. P., G. Di Vella, and F. Introna. 2001. Factors
affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic
Sci. Int. 120: 18-27.
• Goff, M. L. 2000. A Fly for the Prosecution: How Insect
Evidence Helps Solve Crimes, Harvard University Press,
Cambridge, MA.
• Goff, M. L., A. I. Omori, and K. Gunatilake.
1988. Estimation of postmortem interval by
Arthropod succession. Am. J. Forensic Med.
Pathol. 9: 220-225.
References Cont.
• Matuszewski, S., D. Bajerlein, S. Konwerski, and K.
Szpila. 2010. Insect succession and carrion decomposition
in selected forests of central Europe, part 1: pattern and
rate of decomposition. Forensic Sc. Int. 194: 85-93.
• Matuszewski, S., D. Bajerlein, S. Konwerski, and K.
Szpila. 2011. Insect succession and carrion decomposition
in selected forests of central Europe. part 3: succession of
carrion fauna. Forensic Sc. Int. 207: 150-163.
• McNeil, J. 2012. The ecology of death: forensic
entomology as a teaching tool. Am. Biol. Teach. 72: 153155.
• Insecta. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect.
2014. 08 April 2014.
Picture References
• Dermestidae.
http://www.insectoid.info/pictures/dermestidae.jpg
• Cleridae.
http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/images/h_800/ne
crobia_rufipes.jpg
• Histeridae.
http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Fotos/Familien/Histeridae
.jpg
• Life Cycle.
http://www.monarchlabs.com/images/maggotLifeCycle
Small.gif
• Lucilia Cuprina.
http://bugguide.net/images/cache/6Z0L5ZQLNZ5HFH
Picture References Cont.
• Nitidulidae.
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/irc/wibeetles/New%2
0Images/nitbi_medbutton.jpg
• Sarcophagidae.
http://www.fnanaturesearch.org/images/stories/ns/mark
ed/M/4232.jpg
• Scarabidae. http://collectionneurdinsectes.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/p-batesi1.jpg
• Silphidae. http://www.saltunabornholm.dk/humator_demo.jpg
• Staphylinidae.
http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/images/foto/GDI
128.jpg
• Trogidae.
Questions?