Forensic entomology: applications and limitations

Abstract

Forensic entomology is the science of collecting and analysing insect evidence to aid in forensic investigations. Its main application is in the determination of the minimum time since death in cases of suspicious death, either by estimating the age of the oldest necrophagous insects that developed on the corpse, or by analysing the insect species composition on the corpse. In addition, toxicological and molecular examinations of these insects may help reveal the cause of death or even the identity of a victim, by associating a larva with its last meal, for example, in cases where insect evidence is left at a scene after human remains have been deliberately removed. Some fly species can develop not only on corpses but on living bodies too, causing myiasis. Analysis of larvae in such cases can demonstrate the period of neglect of humans or animals. Without the appropriate professional collection of insect evidence, an accurate and convincing presentation of such evidence in court will be hampered or even impossible. The present paper describes the principles and methods of forensic entomology and the optimal techniques for collecting insect evidence.

The effect of body size on the rate of decomposition in a temperate region of South Africa

“…A greater understanding of decomposition variables will enable better PMI estimates. As stated by Amendt [21], it should be emphasized that determining the exact PMI is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, due to human biological variation. PMI can therefore only be estimated.…”

“…The longer the PMI, the less accurate the estimation of the interval will be [22]. The process of decay is influenced by a number of aspects, for example, the complexity of integrating all factors affecting insect devel opment [21]. It i s theref ore advisable that when PMI estimati ons are required, a multi-disciplinary approach be followed whereby i.e.…”

The Natural History and Unusual Mating Behavior ofEuxesta bilimeki(Diptera: Ulidiidae)

“…In fact, laboratory observations show that the sex ratio of emerged individuals is approximately 1:1 (El-Dessouki and Stein 1980; Arnaldos et al 2001). On the other hand, monitoring the abundance and diversity of sarcosaprophagous Diptera with the use of carrion-baited traps can be useful to investigate their population dynamics and to evaluate different strategies for control of myiasis in livestock (Vogt and Woodburn 1994), as well as to provide further information on the necrophagous fauna associated with carrion, which can aid in forensic investigations (see Amendt et al 2011 for a review). Therefore, the knowledge of the sex-related differences in the responses to carrion-bait by the different taxa could serve as an additional proof to evaluate the efficiency of the chosen sampling baits and methods in studies about sarcosaprophagous Diptera.…”

“…The Diptera species involved in the carriondecomposing process have been the object of several studies not only because of their important role in the good working of ecosystems, but also because of their medical and veterinary importance as vectors of a multitude of pathogens (Graczyck et al 2001), as agents of myiasis (Hall and Wall 1995), and as forensic indicators (Amendt et al 2011). In this sense, necrophagous species of the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae have been studied in detail due to their dominance in the carrion-fly communities (Hanski and Kuusela 1980;Arnaldos et al 2001;Archer and Elgar 2003).…”

Can soil testate amoebae be used for estimating the time since death? A field experiment in a deciduous forest

“…Here, forensic medicine reaches its limits already after 24-48 h post-mortem [1,2]. Additional methods are therefore needed beyond this time for PMI estimation.…”