Forensic Entomology

In this present paper I will explain a basic knowledge of the application of Forensic Entomology to death investigations and the basic understanding of the methods for the collection and procedures at a crime scene investigation. For crime scene investigators a general knowledge of the appearance of insects with forensic importance is helpful to the investigator. Forensic entomology is the use of insect evidence found in crime scenes for legal investigations. Forensic entomologists assist homicide investigations by estimating the time of death using information on the biology and ecology of insects. Insects play an important role in the natural decomposition process of decaying flesh and, therefore, are inherently attracted to a decomposing

Colonization usually occurs shortly after death, this may be a close approximation of the time of death. Environmental factors that may delay insect colonization on a corpse are factors such as, cold temperatures, rain, and burial, will affect the estimate of an entomology-based minimum postmortem interval in other words, the estimate time of death.

Keywords: Insects, colonization, decomposition, decaying flesh, postmortem interval

What is Forensic Entomology In the field of Forensic Entomology there is a division of within three general areas: stored product, urban and medico-legal. Within the urban area it mainly focuses on insects in human dwellings such as homes and businesses. Scientists that work in this urban area will enjoy

Forensic entomologist use various techniques such as: species succession, larval weight, larval length, and a more technical method as the accumulated degree hour technique. When an insect leaves its larvae at the scene a succession of development starts occurring and that helps the forensic entomologist use the larva length and weight to determine how long a corpse has been dead. A qualified forensic entomologist can also make inferences as to possible foul play with movement of a corpse postmortem. For example, some flies choose precise environments such for laying their eggs in an outdoor or indoor environment. Flies can also exhibit preferences for corpses in shade or sunlit conditions of the outdoor environment. Therefore, when a corpse is recovered indoors with the eggs or larvae of flies that inhabit in sunny outdoor locations it would indicate that someone returned to the scene of the crime to move or attempt to conceal the body (Byrd, 1998-2017). Anything that could prevent insects from laying eggs in their normal time frame such as a body being frozen or wrapped up in some type of cloth or plastic it may indicate an altered species succession of insects on the body, sequence of species and their typical colonization time. When there is a complete absence of insects it could be a clue as to the sequence of postmortem