UNIT 3
Forensic Biology
Introduction
Forensic Entomology is the use of insects and other arthropods that feed on decaying remains to aid legal
investigations.
Divisions of Forensic Entomology
➢ Urban: It concerns with litigations arising from Bedbugs and Termites affecting manmade structures and
other aspects of human environment.
➢ Stored-Product: It covers the litigations arising from grains and other food contamination by insects.
➢ Medico-Legal: It involves the analysis of necrophagous insects to gain insight into Time of Death (TOD).
Role of Forensic Entomologists is
1. Identification of insects at various stages of their life cycle.
2. Collection and preservation of insects as evidence.
3. Determining an estimate for the post-mortem interval or PMI (the time between death and the discovery
of the body) using factors such as insect evidence, weather conditions etc
4. Testifying in the court to explain insect-related evidence found at a crime scene.
Historical Perspective of Forensic Entomology
The earliest known reference about Forensic Entomology dates back to 13th century in a Chinese manuscript
„The Washing Away of Wrongs‟ written by Sung Tzu. The first application of Forensic Entomology in
determination of PMI in a child death in France by Dr Bergeret d' Arbois was done in 1850. Jean Pierre Megnin,
a French veterinarian, did revolutionary work to give the theory of predictable waves, or successions of insects
onto corpses. Bernard Greenberg is regarded as the father of modern Forensic Entomology.
Forensically relevant Insects
Insects are ubiquitous in nature. Even if we don’t see them, they are likely to be involved in crime scene.
Entomologists can help forensic pathologist in determining TOD, by looking at the insects that are feeding on
and around the body.
, • Flies (Diptera): Flies have Compound Eyes (large red eyes), Antennae (short), Thorax,
Abdomen, One pair of wings (important identifying feature), Haltere (small balancing organ behind
wings), Three pairs of legs; Key Identification: Only one pair of wings
Flies are the first one to get attracted towards the dead bodies. Carrion Flies includes Calliphoridae
(blow flies), Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) and Muscidae (house flies) and belong to order- Diptera. These
are the most wide-spread and accurate insects for determining TOD.
• Beetles (Coleoptera): They have Antennae, Head, Pronotum (plate behind head), Elytra (hard
forewings covering body), Membranous hind wings (under elytra), Segmented abdomen, Three pairs
of legs; Key Identification: Hard wing covers (elytra)
These are often found on old cadavers, or in dry conditions. Beetles includes Silphidae (Carrion beetles),
Staphylinidae (Rove beetles) and Dermestids (Carpet beetles) and belong to order- Coloeoptera.
• Ants (Hymenoptera): Ants have Antennae (long and elbow-shaped), Head, Mandibles (strong
jaws), Thorax, Petiole (node) – narrow waist, Gaster (abdomen), Three pairs of legs; Key
Identification: Narrow waist (petiole node)
These generally consume smaller cadavers and belong to order- Hymenoptera.
All these insects belong to the Class- Insecta of the Phylum „Arthropoda‟
Current Perspectives of Forensic Entomology
(1) Time of death (Larval development): The first approach in estimation of time since death is the
estimation of maggots developing in the body. For this purpose, the knowledge of life histories of flies of families
Calliphoridae (blowflies), Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) and Muscidae (Houseflies) has an important application in
forensic medicine.
Forensic Biology
Introduction
Forensic Entomology is the use of insects and other arthropods that feed on decaying remains to aid legal
investigations.
Divisions of Forensic Entomology
➢ Urban: It concerns with litigations arising from Bedbugs and Termites affecting manmade structures and
other aspects of human environment.
➢ Stored-Product: It covers the litigations arising from grains and other food contamination by insects.
➢ Medico-Legal: It involves the analysis of necrophagous insects to gain insight into Time of Death (TOD).
Role of Forensic Entomologists is
1. Identification of insects at various stages of their life cycle.
2. Collection and preservation of insects as evidence.
3. Determining an estimate for the post-mortem interval or PMI (the time between death and the discovery
of the body) using factors such as insect evidence, weather conditions etc
4. Testifying in the court to explain insect-related evidence found at a crime scene.
Historical Perspective of Forensic Entomology
The earliest known reference about Forensic Entomology dates back to 13th century in a Chinese manuscript
„The Washing Away of Wrongs‟ written by Sung Tzu. The first application of Forensic Entomology in
determination of PMI in a child death in France by Dr Bergeret d' Arbois was done in 1850. Jean Pierre Megnin,
a French veterinarian, did revolutionary work to give the theory of predictable waves, or successions of insects
onto corpses. Bernard Greenberg is regarded as the father of modern Forensic Entomology.
Forensically relevant Insects
Insects are ubiquitous in nature. Even if we don’t see them, they are likely to be involved in crime scene.
Entomologists can help forensic pathologist in determining TOD, by looking at the insects that are feeding on
and around the body.
, • Flies (Diptera): Flies have Compound Eyes (large red eyes), Antennae (short), Thorax,
Abdomen, One pair of wings (important identifying feature), Haltere (small balancing organ behind
wings), Three pairs of legs; Key Identification: Only one pair of wings
Flies are the first one to get attracted towards the dead bodies. Carrion Flies includes Calliphoridae
(blow flies), Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) and Muscidae (house flies) and belong to order- Diptera. These
are the most wide-spread and accurate insects for determining TOD.
• Beetles (Coleoptera): They have Antennae, Head, Pronotum (plate behind head), Elytra (hard
forewings covering body), Membranous hind wings (under elytra), Segmented abdomen, Three pairs
of legs; Key Identification: Hard wing covers (elytra)
These are often found on old cadavers, or in dry conditions. Beetles includes Silphidae (Carrion beetles),
Staphylinidae (Rove beetles) and Dermestids (Carpet beetles) and belong to order- Coloeoptera.
• Ants (Hymenoptera): Ants have Antennae (long and elbow-shaped), Head, Mandibles (strong
jaws), Thorax, Petiole (node) – narrow waist, Gaster (abdomen), Three pairs of legs; Key
Identification: Narrow waist (petiole node)
These generally consume smaller cadavers and belong to order- Hymenoptera.
All these insects belong to the Class- Insecta of the Phylum „Arthropoda‟
Current Perspectives of Forensic Entomology
(1) Time of death (Larval development): The first approach in estimation of time since death is the
estimation of maggots developing in the body. For this purpose, the knowledge of life histories of flies of families
Calliphoridae (blowflies), Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) and Muscidae (Houseflies) has an important application in
forensic medicine.
