Forensic Entomology

Question 1

Forensic __________ apply their knowledge of entomology to provide information for criminal investigation.

Answer 1

entomologists

Question 2

A forensic entomologist’s job may include:

• Identification of insects at various stages of their _____ _____, such as eggs, larva, pupa, and adults,
• Collection and preservation of insects as ________.
• Determining an estimate for the postmortem interval or _____ (the time between death and the discovery of the body) using factors such as insect evidence, weather conditions, location and condition of the body, etc.
• __________ in court to explain insect-related evidence found at a crime scene.

Answer 2

• life cycle
• evidence
• PMI
• Testifying

Question 3

Forensic entomologists use their knowledge of insects and their life cycles and __________ to give them clues as about a crime.

Answer 3

behaviors

Question 4

Most insects used in investigations are in two major orders: _____(flies) and _________(beetles).

Answer 4

Diptera and Coleoptera

Question 5

Species _______ may also provide clues for investigators. Some species may to feed on a _____ corpse, while another species may prefer to feed on one that has been dead for two weeks, Investigators will also find other insects species that _____ on the insects feeding on the corpse.

Answer 5

Species succession
a fresh
that prey

Question 6

_______ data is also an important tool in analyzing insect evidence from a corpse. Investigators will make note of the temperature of the _____, ground surface, the interface area between the body and the ground, and the _____ under the body as well as the temperature inside any ______ masses. They will also collect weather data related to daily _______ (highs/lows) and __________ for a period of time before the body was discovered to the time the insect evidence was collected.

Answer 6

Weather data 
the air ground
the soil under
daily temperature 
and precipitation

Question 7

What are some other factors that could affect a forensic entomologist’s estimate of PMI?

Answer 7

1. Was the body enclosed in an area or wrapped in a material that would have prevented flies from finding the corpse and laying eggs?
2. Were other insect species present that may have affected the development of the collected species?
3. Were there drugs or other poisons in or on the body that might have affected the larvae’s development?

Question 8

Blow flies are attracted to dead bodies and often arrive within _____ minutes of the death of an animal. They have a _____ life cycle that consists of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Answer 8

within minutes

a complete

Question 9

What is the crime scene?

Answer 9

A body has been discovered. Collect & Analyse the evidence, then determine the postmortem interval (PMI).

Question 10

• Used to dig up soil samples
• Used to store live species
• Used to collect crawling insects
• Used to collect flying insects
• Used to collect & preserve specimens
• Used to collect weather data
• Used to take temperatures (air, soil, masses)

Answer 10

• Forceps
• Ventilated jars
• Thermometer
• Hand net
• Trowel
• Specimen Jars
• Weather Station