Forensic Entomology (Part I)

1. Forensic Entomology (Part I)

2. Taphonomy Forensically, the focus is usually on the days-years time frame rather than processes that occur over thousands of years. Definition: The study of the conditions and processes by which organisms become fossilized.

3. Forensic Taphonomy • Reconstruct the circumstances of death • Estimate the time of death

4. 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

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

6. Forensic Entomology

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

8. Forensic Entomology Forensic Entomology: Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters. Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Medicolegal Entomology

9. Forensic Entomology Forensic Entomology: Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters. Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Medicocriminal Entomology

10. Forensic Entomology Forensic Entomology: Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters. Urban Entomology Stored Product Entomology Forensic Medical Entomology

11. 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.

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

13. Forensic Entomology Forensic Entomology: Study of insects and their arthropod counterparts that interact with legal matters. What is an arthropod? What is an insect?

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. Forensic Entomology Flies Some flies are attracted to dead bodies. Carrion Flies: • Calliphoridae (blow flies) • Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) • Muscidae (house flies) • Phoridae

17. Forensic Entomology Flies Some flies are attracted to dead bodies. Carrion Flies: • Calliphoridae (blow flies) • Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) • Muscidae (house flies) • Phoridae

18. Forensic Entomology Phoridae • Scuttle flies or coffin flies • Take advantage of physical barriers; larger flies can’t get to body

19. Forensic Entomology > Flies Calliphoridae (blow flies) • Shiny color (bluebottle, greenbottle) • Among the first to arrive at a corpse

20. Forensic Entomology > Flies Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) • Large, gray flies • Also among the first flies to arrive

21. Forensic Entomology > Beetles

22. Forensic Entomology > Beetles Coleoptera (beetles) Arrive early or late in decomposition process, depending on species

23. Forensic Entomology > Flies and Beetles Complete Metamorphosis Eggs Larvae Pupae Adult