FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY

Forensic Entomology The study of insects and their relationship to time of death. commonly called upon to determine the postmortem interval or "time since death" in homicide investigations.

Entomology based on the age of the insect present "Time Since Colonization" number of different techniques species succession larval weight larval length accumulated degree hour technique

Accumulated Degree Hours Technique used to determine Eclosion period of time it takes an insect to hatch from a fresh egg. Eclosion times have been tabulated to complete this development in various insect species. In a blow fly, this time has been determined to be 21.2 hours ADH = Temperature in C x Eclosion of species

Accumulated Degree Hour Based on a mean temperature of 20 degrees C For a blow fly ADH = 20 deg C x 21.2 hours Average ADH = 424 degree hours for a blow fly to emerge from its egg For a specific environmental temperature  ADH is divided by the temperature

Calculating Eclosion using ADH For a specific environmental temperature Average ADH is divided by the temperature At 25 degrees C  424 hours / 25 = 17 hours Eclosion of a blow fly at 25 C = 17 hours

SERIAL KILLERS CASE STUDY 1 OCT 6 Who is the most notorious serial killer to have never been brought to justice?

Background Jack the Ripper Brutally murdered 5 women from Aug 31 to Nov 9 of 1888 in Whitechapel, London. Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly Following the 5th murder, the killings stopped as suddenly as they began. The question remains: Who was Jack the Ripper?

The Victims Each new murder was more gruesome and violent than the previous one. All five women killed within 1/4 of a mile.

Who was Jack the Ripper? There are many theories about the true identity of Jack the Ripper, his actions, and behavior. Let’s discuss some of these theories now.

Why did he kill? The Ripper Theories He was a doctor, in the military, or a butcher. He removed various organs and other body parts from his victims. He was a psychopath. They were revenge killings.

Jack the Ripper CASE STUDY Jack the Ripper Part I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Brtq4nLOM

ADH Review Eclosion for a black blow fly has been determined to be 23 hours. An average ADH for this insect is 424 degree – hours. What was the environmental temperature of the crime scene where these insects were collected? Would you expect the temperature to higher or lower than 20 degrees C? WHY?

ADH Review 424 deg – hours _____________ = Eclosion time Enviro Temp Solve for Enviro Temp. 424 deg-hours Enviro Temp = ____________ = 18.4 deg C 23 hours

Life Cycle of the Blow Fly Blow Flies are most commonly the first insects to infest a dead body. Lay eggs around natural body orifices Nose Eyes Ears Anus Penis Vagina Open Wounds (Gun shot, Stab, Puncture wounds)

Life Cycle Stages of a Blow Fly 1. Egg 2 – 4. Larva 5. Pupa 6. Adult

Life Cycle 1St Stage  Eggs 2Nd Stage  First Stage Larva hatch from eggs Maggots feed on dead tissue. 3rd Stage  Second Stage Larva Molts from first stage larva 4th Stage  Third Stage Larva Molts from second stage larva Masses of third stage maggots produce enough thermal energy to increase ambient temperature up to 10 deg C

Life Cycle 5th Stage  Third stage Larva molts into Pupa 6th Stage  Pupa develops into adult fly Approximately 2 weeks from egg to adult Depends on species and environmental conditions Temperature/Exposure/Humidity

Oct 8 The Diary of Jack the Ripper Part II Complete the question set. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXTWtcsAnU

Decomposition of a Body Insects will immediately colonize a body. Bacteria, Fungi, and animals Depends upon where the body is located Environmental conditions Some insects thrive in the sun vs. shady conditions Also dependent upon stage of decomposition Beetles will consume bone and cartilage Leakage of body fluids will lead to the disappearance of some insects and the appearance of others.

Stages of Decomposition 1. Fresh Stage – blow flies Ants 2. Bloated Stage – putrefaction begins Rove beetles and Carrion beetles 3. Active Decay Stage Maggots feed around natural orifices of body 4. Advanced Decay Stage Beetles 5. Dry Stage Centipedes, millipedes, cockroaches

Stages of Decomposition 1. 4. 2. 5. 3.

AGENDA OCT 14 Objective: Describe the steps used to collect insects from a crime scene. 1. Question of the Day 2. Hand in “Missing Children” Summary 3. Collection of Insects and Applications 4. Jack the Ripper Case Study

The Body Farm - Decomposition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_SiqND9bNA Decomposition of a Pig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1CD6gNmhr0

Investigation and Collection of Insects from a Body 1. Look at fauna and test soil to see if body has been moved. 2. Collect specimens from different areas of the body, clothing, surrounding environment (indoor/outdoor) 3. Collect 100 maggots 4. Collect pupae from body, clothing, hair, soil 5. Collect empty pupal cases from body, clothing, and surroundings

Investigation and Collection of Insects from a Body 6. Collect adult flies 7. Collect beetles 8. Collect any other insects at scene 9. Collect leaf litter near remains of body if outdoors (enough to fill a coffee can). 10. Place all insects in vials with food

Labeling and Exclusions Keep insects collected from different parts of the body separate from one another. Insects would not be present if the body is wrapped in plastic, buried deep underground, and frozen or freezing temperature/conditions

General Applications Detection of abuse in children Neglect in the elderly Automobile/Aircraft accident studies Interpretation of blood spatter patterns Determination of time of death Recovery of human blood from digestive tract Toxicological analysis

Diary of Jack the Ripper Part II Pay careful attention to the timeline of events and the evidence presented to you. Complete the question set. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNXTWtcsAnU

Accident and Criminal Investigations Insects theorized to be within the top 20 causes of automobile accidents What evidence would support this statement? Consider an automobile accident. Examination of the fragmented remains of insects that have impacted and lodged onto the front fascia, windshield, and radiator of automobiles. Yields evidence to the probable path of an automobile through particular areas Pinpointing the location and areas of travel are of unique importance in some investigations

THE RIPPER DIARY Part 3 Jack the Ripper Part III http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytsal4gcwpA

THE BODY FARM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCyiczAcRBY