Wildlife Forensic & Entomology Flashcards
What are the three ways wildlife can be involved in Litigation?
- Victim of an incident
- Cause of an incident
- Relevant to an incident
What are examples of Victim of an incident for wildlife?
- Killed, injured, treated inhumanely
- Poaching
- Exported
- Bioterrorism
- What is NOT a multiple discipline of Entomology?
a. Physics
b. Chemistry
c. Pathology
d. Morphology
e. Genetics
f. Vet sciences
a. Physics
What is forensic entomology?
a. The study of arthropods (insects)
- Why are bugs important in forensic science?
a. Provides information of how long the body has been exposed to insect activity
b. Also provides location of body and if it has been moved
i. If insects are/not from the area the body is located.
The different kinds of Bug lifecycle (birth) Metamorphosis
Ametabolous- Eggs contain mini versions of the adults
But cannot fly.
Paurometabolous- Hatchlings emerge and form nymphs.
Holometabolous- Adults lay eggs in food
The Process of Bug lifecycle (birth) Metamorphosis
Adult > egg> Embryo > larva > Pupa > Adult
What are the stages of forensic entomology investigation?
a. Visually observing and taking notes
b. Recording notes
c. Approximating number and kind of insects
d. Recording locations or major infestations
e. Immature stages
f. Identifying location of body
g. Observing and noting other phenomenon’s (Trauma, Coverings)
h. Collecting data
i. Recording temperature
j. Measuring humidity
k. Ground surface temp
l. Below body temp
m. Maggot mass temp
n. Post body removal soil temp
What area are necrophilous insects attracted to?
Dark, moist areas
. How are bugs preserved at the crime scene?
Using ethyl acetate - dry and preserve longer in natural state.
What are the complications of a buried body/parts?
a. Decomposition is slower due to lower and consistent temperatures and fewer bacteria
b. Limited access for bugs
c. Alters Entomologists estimation for time of death due to “clock” of insect succession decreasing
What factor influences PMI the most?
Temperature
What are the last bugs to arrive to the crime scene?
Moths -Feed on clothing, skin, and hair. Nocturnal.
Spider beetle.
Field cricket.
What are the first bugs to arrive to the crime scene?
Flesh fly- Necrophagous
House fly - Carbohydrates
Rove beetle- Parasitic
Carrion Beetle - Predatory/parasitic
