Lecture 11 Flashcards
What is forensic entomology?
applications of the study of insects in legal investigations
3 main areas of forensic entomology
- stored product
- urban
- medico-legal
Insects and arthropods are involved in cases of:
- murder
- rape
- suicide
- physical abuse
- neglect
- suspicious deaths
HOW are Insects and arthropods involved in cases
- determination of PMI
- evidence a body was moved
- evidence of neglect
- evidence of drug use
- evidence of rape
What is PMI?
- time elapsed since death
- how long it takes an insect to develop to life stage under set of conditions
= minimum estimate of time since death
What is a case where PMI is less accurate?
when there is evidence of myiasis
conditions to calculate PMI
- correctly identify material collected
- Understand which insect appears first in decomposition process
- know developmental times of each life stage
- be aware of factors affecting growth and decomposition
Why is it important for the identification of different species of insect?
- live in different parts of the world
- develop at different rates
- visit corpse at different times of decomposition
Identification based on morphological features
1st instar: anterior spiracles absent, posterior spiracles with 2 slits
2nd instar: anterior spiracles present, posterior spiracles with 2 slits
3rd instar: anterior spiracles present, posterior spiracles with 3 slits
what is rearing and why is it useful
- raising insect specimens
- adults easier to ID using regional keys
Identification using molecular DNA
- DNA compared to that of known species
limitations of molecular ID
- quality of reference sequences
- resolution of chosen DNA markers
process of decomposition
fresh stage
early decay (bloating)
advanced decay
dry stage
