Topic > Forensic Entomology: The Use of Insects

IndexIntroductionHistoryArthropodaFive stages of decomposition fueled by insect activityDNA analysis for species identificationIntroductionForensic entomologists apply their knowledge of entomology to provide information for criminal investigations. Species succession can also provide clues to investigators. Some species might feed on a fresh corpse, while another species might prefer to feed on one that has been dead for two weeks. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Investigators will also find other species of insects that prey on the insects that feed on the corpse. Species succession can also provide clues to investigators. Forensic entomology is used to determine the time since death (the time between death and discovery of the body). This is called the postmortem interval or PMI). Other uses include moving the corpse, associating the manner and cause of death of suspects to the scene of death, detecting toxins, drugs or even the DNA of the victim through the analysis of insect larvaeHistoryFirst documented case of forensic entomology reported by Chinese lawyer and death investigator Sung Tzu in the 13th century A case of stabbing of a farmer solved with the use of insects (adult flies) detected blood on the killer's scythe. The first application of forensic entomology in a modern court of law occurred in 18th-century France, where entomological data was admitted as evidence of murder. absolving the current occupants of the residence where the skeletonized remains of a child were found. In the 18th century, Yovanovich and Megnin's assessment of insect succession on corpses founded the science of forensic entomology. Arthropods They are not as large a biomass as bacteria, but they are a respectable second! Unifying feature: hard exoskeleton Most insects used in investigations belong to two main orders: flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera). The insect class includes bees and wasps (order Hymenoptera), flies (O. Diptera) and butterflies (O. Lepidoptera). ,) dragonflies (O. Odanata,) beetles (O. Coleoptera,) etc. The "true insects" are the order Hemiptera. No hemipteran is of any consequence to forensic science, so cross "bugs" out of your vocabulary. As soon as death occurs, the cells begin to die and enzymes begin to digest the cells inside out in a process called autolysis. The body begins to decompose. The bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract begin to destroy the soft tissues by producing liquids and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen. The insects most involved in forensic investigations are true flies or dipterans. The predominant species in this order are Blow & Green flies (Calliphoridae), meat flies (Sarcophagidae), house flies (Muscidae), cheese flies (Piophilidae). Calliphoridae (blowers), Sacrophagidae (meat flies) can arrive within minutes of death. . Muscidae (house flies) delay colonization until the body reaches major stages of decomposition. Calliphoridae adults are commonly shiny with metallic coloration, often with a blue, green or black thorax and abdomen. Sarcophagidae are medium-sized flies with black and gray longitudinal stripes on the thorax and knurling on the abdomen. Adult Muscidae are 8-12 mm long. Their thorax is grey, with four longitudinal dark lines on the back. The entire body is covered in hair-like projections. The usual oviposition or egg-laying areas arethe natural openings and wounds of the body. When they hatch, they produce a larva called a grub. They are small peg-shaped organisms with a pair of mouth hooks on the anterior end for feeding. The worms grow rapidly passing through the three instars or instars, reaching full size. Once they reach full size, feeding stops and they migrate to drier areas and begin puparia (pupae formation). At this stage, the outer skin of the worm hardens and forms a protective shell that eventually emerges like a fly. Five stages of decomposition fueled by insect activity As indicated by examinations carried out by K. Tullies and M. L Goff on flesh discovered in a tropical rainforest, it was found that the disintegration process was best separated into five phases based on physical parameters appearance of corpses, internal temperatures and populations of characteristic insects: New phase (days 1-2): starting immediately after death and ends when the swelling of the corpse is observed. Despite the fact that autolysis occurs at this stage, clear morphological changes do not occur now. The estimate of the season of death using entomological information after 24 hours is more precise than the estimate of the restoration analyst in light of the delicate examination of the tissues. Insects were seen dragged in within the first 10 minutes of the corpse's death, but no egg-laying (oviposition) was found in this state. Cellular disruption occurs in this context without morphological changes. Despite the fact that the morphological changes and odors are not noticeable to humans, the chemicals released by cell breakdown attract creepy crawlies even at this early stage. Enlarged phase (days 2-7): Rot begins this way. Gases released by the metabolic activity of anaerobic organisms cause the belly and body to swell, giving the rear end an inflatable-like appearance. The exercises of the arthropods combined with the forms of rot cause the internal temperature of the corpse to rise. During this phase, the best quantities of adult Diptera were dragged into the corpses. By the fourth day, first and second instar or larval dipterans were available. At the beginning of the second day, some predators of the small dipterans were also recovered from the remains. Organization of putrefaction (days 5-13): the abdominal divider is inserted, resulting in the emptying of the remains and completing the enlargement phase, the internal temperature rises to 14 degrees above the surrounding temperature followed by a drop implying the end of the process of putrefaction putrefaction. Rotting odors are high with high temperatures and decrease with a drop in temperature. By the tenth day, a significant decrease in the heaviness of the corpse is observed. A transformation of the biomass of the remains into larval biomass of dipterans occurs. The young thus withdraw from the corpse to pupate. Post-riot organization (days 10-23): Post-riot organization begins when most of the small Diptera leave their remains, abandoning bones, ligaments, hair, bits of tissue and a lot of moist material and often known as side effects of the putrefaction (BOD). The BOD is the true site of action of the arthropods in this phase. Organization of the remains (days 18-90+): This stage is represented by bones with little ligament remaining and the BOD has dried out. The transition from the post-decay stage to the remnant stage is gradual, with the decline of adult and larval populations of dipterans. Steps in Estimating the Postmortem Index with Insect Larvae Ventures into evaluating the postmortem file with tiny little crawlies. Small insects introduced onto the corpse can.