Francesco Redi first discovered insects in relation to decomposition in the 17th century by exposing meat to insects versus keeping meat covered. Blow flies and flesh flies are usually the first insects to arrive at a body within hours of death, followed by beetles. Estimating time of death can be done by identifying what species of insects are present and their rate of development which is impacted by weather conditions like temperature, sun exposure, and season. Forensic entomology is used in cases involving child abuse, elder abuse, animal abuse, and car accidents to determine time since death and can also be used in cases of urban or stored product insect infestations.

1. By: Ashley Straniero & Shaun
Connolly

2. From the Beginning…
 First discovered by Francesco Redi (17th
Century)
 Exposed vs. Unexposed Meat
 Spontaneous Generation Theory

3. Insects at the Crime Scene
 Flies vs. Beetles
 Blow Flies and Flesh Flies are first to
inhabit a body (Calliphoridae and
Sarcophagidae)
(Sexton beetle)

4. Weather and Observations of Body
 Sun vs. Shade
 Position of Body
 Inside vs. Outside
 Maggot Mass Temperature
 Air Temperature
 Soil Temperature

5. Collection of Bugs
 First appeared bugs are captured first (very
fast retrievers)
 Ethyl Acetate to immobilize bugs (75%)
 Properly label bugs (graphite only)

6. Estimating Time of Death
 PMI (Post Mortem Interval)
 Identifying types of species of insects – Rate
of development
 Tampering with the results: season,
temperature, sun exposure, etc.

7. Sequence of Insect Arrival
 1st Responders=Blow Flies which are attracted
to the foul odor (several hours after death)
 2nd Responders=Flesh Flies appear directly
after or at the same time as Blow Flies
 Under certain weather conditions, the Flesh
Fly will appear first since they can fly during
rainfall.

8. -”Flyspecks”
-Insect
Tracks
-
Regurgitation

9. Diversity of
Forensic
Entomology
-Child Abuse
-Elderly Abuse
-Animal Abuse
-Car Accidents

10. -Urban
-Stored-
Product
-Medico-
Legal
Vide
o

11. Entomotoxicology

12. Work Cited
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http://www.crimemuseum.org/blog/category/forensic-science/
Champion, D. J. (n.d.). The American Dictionary Of Criminal Justice: Key Terms And Major
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from
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dence%
Domain Names, Web Hosting and Online Marketing Services | Network Solutions. (n.d.).
Domain Names, Web Hosting and Online Marketing Services | Network Solutions.
Retrieved April 1, 2013, from http://www.forensic-ent.com/
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need. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.deepdyve.com/lp/elsevier/entomotoxicology-eZP2FeeYG7/1
Forensic entomology. (n.d.). Forensic entomology. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
http://www.forensicentomology.com/definition.htm