1. Forensic Entomology (Part I)

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

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

4. Forensic Anthropology
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 Anthropology
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 Background
Estimating the Postmortem Interval (PMI)
DNA Analysis of Maggot Crop Contents

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

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

10. Stored Product Entomology
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. Insects and other arthropods can be used to answer:
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. History China: 13th century. sickle Bergeret: 1859. dead baby
Forensic Entomology
History
China: 13th century. sickle
Bergeret: dead baby
Megnin: fathered forensic entomology
Hall: 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. Arthropoda (phylum) class - Arachnida (spiders, scorpions)
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. Arthropoda (phylum) class - Arachnida (spiders, scorpions)
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. Flies Carrion Flies: Some flies are attracted to dead bodies.
Forensic Entomology
Flies
Some flies are attracted to dead bodies.
Carrion Flies:
Calliphoridae (blow flies)
Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)
Muscidae (house flies)
Phoridae

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

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

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

20. Sarcophagidae (flesh flies)
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. Eggs Larvae Pupae Adult Complete Metamorphosis
Forensic Entomology > Flies and Beetles
Complete Metamorphosis
Eggs
Larvae
Pupae
Adult