Forensic Entomology The study of insects associated with a dead body Common Maggot species

How can forensic entomology be used? 1. Can estimate the time elapsed since death 2. Can help determine whether a body has been moved or otherwise disturbed after death 3. Can determine whether victim was poisoned or used drugs 4. Length of time of neglect or abuse in living victims 5. Can be involved in the investigation of wildlife crimes

Protocol for collecting insects Thorough protocol can be found at entomology.com/pr ocedure.htm Thorough protocol can be found at entomology.com/pr ocedure.htm entomology.com/pr ocedure.htm entomology.com/pr ocedure.htm Climate data is particularly important for interpretation Climate data is particularly important for interpretation

Example of weather’s influence on maturation rate Usually forensic entomology is used to give a minimum time since death has occurred

Color and shape of confetti Insect species Characteristics (Note: The times given here are true for the weather conditions found in Oahu during the time in question.) Green heart Eggs of the blow fly Protophormia terraenovae Will hatch and no longer be eggs 36 hours after being deposited Blue heart Larva of the blow fly P. terraenovae Exist at least 2-8 days after death occurs Green star Pupae of the blow fly P. terraenovae Exist at least 8-15 days after death occurs Red star Empty puparia of blow fly Presence indicates adult blow flies have already emerged and vacated the body. This takes at least 17 days. Pink heart Larvae of a rove beetle Will appear 2 weeks after decomposition begins Gold star Cheese skippers Will arrive no later than 1 week after death but after a month they will vacate the body to pupate in soil. Presence indicates that body has been decomposing less than 34 days. Blue star Soldier flies Will not come onto body for at least 20 days. Age of these appears to be 9-11 days old