Forensic Entomology

Question 1

What is forensic entomolgy?

Answer 1

Any application of the study of insects and other arthropods to legal proceedings.

Question 2

What was the first use of forensic entomology?

Answer 2

As a handbook for coroners, they noticed that flies were attracted to sickles that were used as murder weapons.

Question 3

What was the second use of forensic entomology?

Answer 3

1668: Francesco Redi and the idea of “spontaneous generation”

Question 4

What is spontaneous generation?

Answer 4

The idea that maggots “spontaneously generated” on items such as meat, this idea was proven false with the jar procedure.

Question 5

What was the third use/mention of forensic entomology

Answer 5

1850-1950’s: Literature about the application of entomology in the medical field.

Question 6

What was the fourth use of forensic entomology?

Answer 6

Sporadic research projects on decomposition and insect development

Question 7

Where is forensic entomology today?

Answer 7

Discrete field of science

Question 8

Why do people use insects?

Answer 8

1. Immediate arrival at the scene
   -Insects that feed directly on the body (flies)
   -Insects that feed on other insects coming to the body
   -Insects that are incidental=present by chance
2. Predictable succession
   -flies (undergo life cycles) then succession of other species/insect orders
3. Long term preservation