Bugs – entomology – role of
insects, TOD, collection and identity
By:
Zakiya & Ilexuz
DID YOU KNOW?!
• Bugs are everywhere and are
used for a lot of things, but
did you know they can also
help scientists figure out who
hit you in the head and
knocked you out
permanently!
What role do bugs/insects play in a
crime scene investigation?
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/aboutus/news/2008/june/crime-scene-insectinvestigation-boost13073.html
What is the first bug at a crime
scene, and what is it’s life cycle ?
• http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/blow_flies.htm
l,
http://www.forensicentomology.com/appear.htm
#bwfl
What part of the body attracts the
bugs to the body and why?
• http://www.expertlaw.com/library/forensic_evide
nce/forensic_entomology.html
Other than the Blow Fly, what other bugs
are attracted to the corpse and at what stage
do they start to appear?
http://cienciaforense.com/Pages/Entomology/Ov
erview.htm
How can the blood from a flesh eating
bug contribute to solving a crime?
http://science.howstuffworks.com/forensicentomology.htm/printable
Does the weather determine what type
of bug will invade the body and explain?
http://www.sfu.ca/~ganderso/foren
sicentomology.htm
A Case Study: Skeleton Remains of a
Young Girl
In Oahu, Hawaii skeleton remains were
found in a shallow grave covered in dirt
with bones partially exposed from the
ground. The Skull facing upward and
lower jaw located a meter from the skull
…. Click link to read more.
http://www.clt.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/112507/fse09_case_
studies.pdf
Stages of Decomposition
What Does the Future Hold?
• Scanning electron microscopy-
A new technology
created in 2007 to figure out the form and ways of an egg and maggots.
Requires the use of expensive equipment.
• Potassium permanganate staining- When scanning
cost too much this is the easier way to go. Involves only a few steps ..
• Mitochondrial DNA- A method created in 2001, that uses
mitochondria DNA to differentiate between different species of the
subfamily.
Bibliography
Anderson, Dr.Gail S. Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.sfu.ca/ ~ganderso/forensicentomology.htm>. Blow Flies. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/blow_flies.html>. Byrd, Dr. J H.
Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.forensicentomology.com/appear.htm#bwfl>. Fuller, John. How
Stuff Works. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://science.howstuffworks.com/ forensic-entomology.htm/printable>.
Gamber, Michelle. Bugs and Bodies and Crime Scene Investigation. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4197>. Natural History
Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.nhm.ac.uk/aboutus/news/2008/ june/crime-scene-insect-investigation-boost13073.html>.
Stærkeby, Morten. Forensics Entomology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2011.
<http://cienciaforense.com/ Pages/Entomology/Overview.htm>.