Forensics Unit 4 Notes
Chapter 13 – Entomology
Entomology- the use of insects and other arthropods to aid in legal investigations
I.
Taxonomy- an orderly system of classification applied to living things
a. Kingdomb. PhylumOther classifications exist but these are the main categories (taxa)
c. Orderd. Classe. Familyf. Genus-
These combine to make the scientific name of the species…Ex: Homo sapiens
g. Speciesi. Ex:- Family of flies classified as Blow Flies
1. Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
2. Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
3. Class Insecta (Insects)
4. Order Diptera (Flies)
5. No Taxon (Calyptratae)
6. Superfamily Oestroidea
7. Family Calliphoridae (Blow Flies)
II.
Death
a. Livor mortis- skin discoloration caused by pooling of blood
b. Rigor Mortis- rigidity of skeletal muscles
c. Algor Mortis- Body cooling rate
III.
IV.
Life cycles of insects
a. Metamorphosis- obvious changes in the animals from or structure.
i. Usually 4 stages- egg, Instar (larva), pupa, adult
b. Molt- shedding the outer skeleton during growth
i. Exoskeleton- a rigid external covering for the body for some invertebrate animals
(skeleton on outside of body)
c. Instar- developmental stage of arthropods, generally changes in size of the larvae
i. Flies - maggots
2 major types of Insects use in Forensic Entomology- vary by region and other conditions
a. Diptera (Order of flies)
i. Calliphora vicina- in urban areas
ii. Calliphora vomitoria- in rural areas
iii. Chrysomay rufifacies- warm weather
iv. Lucilia illustris- sunlit area
v. Phormia regina- prefer shade
b. Coleoptera (Order of beetles)- some feed on fly larvae and some eat carrion (flesh)
i. Rove beetle
ii. Clown beetle
iii. Red-legged ham beetle
iv. Hide beetle
v. Sexton Beetle