Forensic Entomologist Insects in Legal Investigations Dani Tompkins

“Time Since Death” Determine the postmortem interval (age of the insects present) Based on the “Time Since Colonization” Forensic Pathologist Medical Examiner / Coroner

Techniques Species succession Larva weight Larva length Accumulated Degree Hour Technique Can determine movement (Larva eggs with indoor/outdoor, sunlight/shade)

Techniques Cont. DNA of human blood can be recovered from the digestive tract of the insect Suggest clues as to the sequence of postmortem events, as well as complete absence of insects Freezing Wrapping Deep burying of bodies Rape victims (bodily fluids, urine, fecal material

Toxicological Analysis Insect’s appetite can quickly skeletonize the remains Blood, urine, and other soft tissues can disappear quickly Can determine drugs and toxins in human tissue prior to death

Beetle Larva The Sexton Beetle The Carrion Beetle Commonly used in museums to clean bones Found in the later stages of decay The Sexton Beetle Nocturnal and found under the body or in the soil during daylight The Carrion Beetle Found in the upper surfaces of the body

The Cockroach Larva/ Maggots The Flesh Fly Postmortem damage to human skin that resembles abrasions or chemical burns Remove hair shafts Larva/ Maggots Early stages of decomposition Fecal material / gut remains Survive in semi-aquatic areas The Flesh Fly Derive from maggots

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