Forensic entomology is the science and study of insects and other arthropods related to legal investigations. It can be divided in three subfields: urban, stored-product and medicolegal. Orders Subclass Apterygota Symphypleona - globular springtails Subclass Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) Subclass Dicondylia Monura - extinct Thysanura (common bristletails) Subclass Pterygota Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Blattodea (cockroaches) Mantodea (mantids) Isoptera (termites) Zoraptera Grylloblattodea Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - Trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - Spiders, Scorpions, etc. ... This article is about law in society. ...

Medicolegal forensic entomology includes arthropod involvement in events such as murder, suicide and rape, but also includes physical abuse and contraband trafficking. In murder investigations it deals with what insects lay eggs when and where, and in what order they appear in dead bodies. This can be helpful in determining the time or post mortem interval (PMI) and location of the death in question. {{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Insects | fossil_range = Carboniferous - Recent | image = European honey bee extracts nectar. ... In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... Post mortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since a person has died. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

There are many types of insects that can be involved in forensic entomology, but the ones listed here are mostly necrophagous (corpse-eating) and related to medicolegal entomology (directly related to the crime and found on the corpse). This is not a full list; there are many variations due to climate, and many other insects that are necrophagous. This is outlined by Mostovski and Mansell [1]. The order in which the insects feed on the corpse is called the faunal succession [2].

Insects of forensic importance

Flies (Order Diptera)

Flies are often first on the scene. They prefer a moist corpse for the maggots to feed on, as such a corpse is easier for them to chew. The most important families are: Suborders Nematocera (includes Eudiptera) Brachycera Diptera (di - two, ptera - wings), or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. ... Suborders Nematocera (includes Eudiptera) Brachycera Wikispecies has information related to: Diptera True flies are insects of the Order Diptera (Greek: di = two, and pteron = wing), possessing a single pair of wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax. ...

• Blowflies - Family Calliphoridae
• Fleshflies - Family Sarcophagidae
• House Flies - Family Muscidae
• Cheese Flies - Family Piophilidae
• Coffin Flies - Family Phoridae
• Lesser Corpse Flies - Family Sphaeroceridae
• Lesser House Flies - Family Fanniidae
• Black scavenger flies - Sepsidae
• Sun Flies- Heleomyzidae
• Black soldier fly- Stratiomyidae

Subfamilies Calliphorinae Chrysomyiinae The Blowflies are members of the family Calliphoridae of flies (Diptera). ... Subfamilies Calliphorinae Chrysomyiinae The Blowflies are members of the family Calliphoridae of flies (Diptera). ... Subfamilies Miltogramminae Sarcophaginae Fleshflies, family Sarcophagidae, are insects that are often mistaken for common houseflies, although they are somewhat larger in size. ... Subfamilies Miltogramminae Sarcophaginae Fleshflies, family Sarcophagidae, are insects that are often mistaken for common houseflies, although they are somewhat larger in size. ... Binomial name Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 The housefly (also house fly or house-fly), Musca domestica, is the most common fly occurring in homes, the most familiar of all flies and indeed one of the most widely distributed animals; it is a pest that can facilitate serious diseases. ... The family Muscidae is found in the order Diptera. ... Common names of piophila casei: Adult: Cheese fly Bacon fly Larva: Cheese skipper Bacon skipper Ham skipper Cheese maggot Cheese hopper Cheese flies are members of the family Piophilidae of flies (Diptera). ... Common names of piophila casei: Adult: Cheese fly Bacon fly Larva: Cheese skipper Bacon skipper Ham skipper Cheese maggot Cheese hopper Cheese flies are members of the family Piophilidae of flies (Diptera). ... Genera and Species Approximately 230 genera and 3000 species A phorid fly is a small, hump-backed fly of the highly diverse family Phoridae, and resembling a fruit fly in appearance. ... Sphaeroceridae are flies in the Order Diptera, Section Schizophora, Superfamily Sphaeroceroidea Sphaeroceridae are a worldwide family of small, usually dull-colored flies. ... The Fanniidae are a small (265 species in 4 genera), primitive group of Calyptratae, Superfamily Muscoidea , Diptera largely confined to the Holarctic and temperate Neotropical regions. ... Genera according to ITIS: Orygma Saltella Decachaetophora Enicita Enicomira Meroplius Nemopoda Sepsidimorpha Sepsis (genus) Themira Sepsidae are a family of flies, commonly called the black scavenger flies or ensign flies. ... subfamilies Borboropsinae Heleomyzinae Heteromyzinae Rhinotorinae Trixoscelidinae Heleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. ... Binomial name Hermetia illucens Linnaeus, 1758 The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) is a common and widespread member of the family Stratiomyidae, and quite possibly the best-known species in the entire infraorder. ... Stratiomyidae, or soldier flies are a family of Diptera Orthorrhapha. ...

Beetles (Order Coleoptera)

Beetles are generally found on the corpse when it is more decomposed. In drier conditions, the beetles can be replaced by moth flies (Psychodidae). For other uses, see Beetle (disambiguation). ... Suborders Adephaga Archostemata Myxophaga Polyphaga See subgroups of the order Coleoptera Beetles are the most diverse group of insects. ... Psychodidae – the moth flies are small flies with hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” appearance. ...

• Rove Beetles - Family Staphylinidae - are elongate beetles with small elytra (wing covers) and large jaws. Like other beetles inhabiting carrion, they have fast larval development with only three larval stages. Creophilus species are common predators of carrion, and since they are large, are a very visible component of the fauna of corpses. Some adult Staphylinidae are early visitors to a corpse, feeding on larvae of all species of fly, including the later predatory fly larvae. They lay their eggs in the corpse, and the emerging larvae are also predators. Some species have a long development time in the egg, and are common only during the later stages of decomposition. Staphylinids can also tear open the pupal cases of flies, to sustain themselves at a corpse for long periods.

• Hister Beetles - Family Histeridae. Adult histerids are usually shiny beetles (black or metallic-green) which have an introverted head. The carrion-feeding species only become active at night when they enter the maggot-infested part of the corpse to capture and devour their maggot prey. During daylight they hide under the corpse unless it is sufficiently decayed to enable them to hide inside it. They have fast larval development with only two larval stages. Among the first beetles to arrive at a corpse are Histeridae of the genus Saprinus. Saprinus adults feed on both the larvae and pupae of blowflies, although some have a preference for fresh pupae. The adults lay their eggs in the corpse, inhabiting it in the later stages of decay.

• Carrion Beetles - Family Silphidae
• Ham Beetles - Family Cleridae
• Carcass Beetles - Family Trogidae

• Skin/Hide Beetles - Family Dermestidae. Hide beetles are important in the final stages of decomposition of a carcass. The adults and larvae, which are hairy, feed on the dried skin, tendons and bone left by fly larvae. Hide beetles are the only beetle with the enzymes necessary for breaking down keratin, a protein component of hair.

• Scarab Beetles - Family Scarabaeidae
• Sap beetles - Family Nitidulidae

Genera (thousands, see text) The rove beetles are a large family (Staphylinidae) of beetles, primarily distinguished by their short elytra that leave more than half of their abdomens exposed. ... Genera (thousands, see text) The rove beetles are a large family (Staphylinidae) of beetles, primarily distinguished by their short elytra that leave more than half of their abdomens exposed. ... Elytra (sing: elytron) are modified, hardened forewings of certain insect orders, notably beetles (Coleoptera) and true bugs (Hemiptera). ... A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Subfamilies Omaliinae Empelinae Proteininae Pselaphinae Glypholomatinae Microsilphinae Micropeplinae Neophoninae Dasycerinae Protopselaphinae Phloeocharinae Olisthaerinae Tachyporinae Trichophyinae Habrocerinae Aleocharinae Trigonurinae Apateticinae Scaphidiinae Piestinae Osoriinae Oxytelinae Oxyporinae Megalopsidiinae Steninae Euaesthetinae Solieriinae Leptotyphlinae Pseudopsinae Paederinae Staphylininae The rove beetles are a large family (Staphylinidae) of beetles, primarily distinguished by their short elytra that leave... Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ... Genera about 330, see text The clown beetles or more traditionally hister beetles are a family (Histeridae) of beetles of distinctive appearance; their flattened leg segments recall the baggy or flowing clothes of clowns or actors (hister is from the Latin histrio, actor). ... Genera about 330, see text The clown beetles or more traditionally hister beetles are a family (Histeridae) of beetles of distinctive appearance; their flattened leg segments recall the baggy or flowing clothes of clowns or actors (hister is from the Latin histrio, actor). ... Subfamilies Calliphorinae Chrysomyiinae Blow-flies (also frequently spelled blow flies or blowflies) are members of the family Calliphoridae of flies (Diptera). ... Subfamilies Nicrophorinae Silphinae (15 genera) Carrion beetles (Family Silphidae) are a minor group of beetles, consisting of about 300 species. ... Subfamilies Nicrophorinae Silphinae (15 genera) Carrion beetles (Family Silphidae) are a minor group of beetles, consisting of about 300 species. ... Families See text. ... Genera Omorgus Polynoncus Trox The hide beetles are a family Trogidae (MacLeay 1819) of beetles with a distinctive warty or bumpy appearance. ... Genera many, see text The skin beetles are a family Dermestidae (Gyllenhal 1808) of beetles. ... Microscopy of keratin filaments inside cells. ... Genera not a complete list Agestrata Anoplognathus Augosoma Canthon Chrysina Chalcosoma Chelorrhina Cheirolasia Cheirotonus Cotinis Dynastes Eudicella Goliathus Megsoma Onthophagus Pachnoda Phanaeus Plusiotis Ranzania Rhomborrhina Stephanorrhina Xylotrupes The scarab is a type of beetle noted for rolling dung into spherical balls and pushing it, as well as its habit of... subfamily Aegialiinae Aphodiinae Cetoniinae Dynastinae Euchirinae Hopliinae Idiostominae Melolonthinae Orphninae Pachypodinae Phaenomerinae Phileurinae Rutelinae Scarabaeinae Sericinae Taurocerastinae Trichiinae Valginae Wikispecies has information related to: Scarabaeidae The family Scarabaeidae consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide. ... Small (5-12 mm) ovoid, usually dull-coloured beetles (Family Nitidulidae, Order Coleoptera) with knobbed anntenae, some have red or yellow spots or bands. ... Genera See text. ...

Mites (Class Acari)

Many mites feed on a corpse. Macrocheles mites are common in the early stages of decomposition, while Tyroglyphidae and Oribatidae mites such as Rostrozetes feed on dry skin in the later stages of decomposition. Families Tetranychidae - Spider mites Eriophyidae - Gall mites Sarcoptidae - Sarcoptic Mange mites The mites and ticks, order Acarina or Acari, belong to the Arachnida and are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups, although some way behind the insects. ... Families Tetranychidae - Spider mites Eriophyidae - Gall mites Sarcoptidae - Sarcoptic Mange mites The mites and ticks, order Acarina or Acari, belong to the Arachnida and are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups, although some way behind the insects. ...

Nicrophorus beetles often carry on their bodies the mite Poecilochirus which feeds on fly eggs. If they arrive at the corpse before any fly eggs hatch into maggots, the first eggs are eaten and maggot development is delayed. This may lead to incorrect PMI estimate. Nicrophorus beetles find the ammonia excretions of blowfly maggots toxic, and the Poecilochirusmites, by keeping the maggot population low, allow Nicrophorus to occupy the corpse. end Species See text. ... Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. ...

Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

Clothes-moths - Family Tineidae - feed on mammalian hair during their larval stages and may forage on any hair that remains. They are amongst the final animals contributing to the decomposition of a corpse. Lepidopteran on a flower. ... Superfamilies Butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea Moths Acanthopteroctetoidea Alucitoidea Axioidea Bombycoidea Calliduloidea Choreutoidea Cossoidea Drepanoidea Epermenioidea Eriocranioidea Galacticoidea Gelechioidea Geometroidea Gracillarioidea Hedyloidea Hepialoidea Heterobathmioidea Hyblaeoidea Immoidea Incurvarioidea Lasiocampoidea Lophocoronoidea Micropterigoidea Mimallonoidea Mnesarchaeoidea Neopseustoidea Nepticuloidea Noctuoidea Palaephatoidea Pterophoroidea Pyraloidea Schreckensteinioidea Sesioidea Simaethistoidea Thyridoidea Tineoidea Tischerioidea Tortricoidea Urodoidea Whalleyanoidea Yponomeutoidea Zygaenoidea The order Lepidoptera... Tineidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera. ...

Wasps, ants, and bees (Order Hymenoptera)

The insects in this group, order Hymenoptera, are not necessarily necrophagous. While some feed on the body, some are also predatory, and eat the insects feeding on the body. Bees and wasps have been seen feeding on the body during the early stages. This may cause problems for murder cases in which larval flies are used to estimate the post mortem interval since eggs and larvae on the body may have been consumed prior to the arrival on scene of investigators. Suborders Apocrita Symphyta Many families, see article Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of Insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. ... Suborders Apocrita Symphyta Many families, see article Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of Insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. ... For information on the subject of disappearing domesticated honey bee colonies in the United States and some European countries, which phenomenon only affects this one particular species of bee, see Colony Collapse Disorder. ... Suborder Apocrita See text for explanation. ...

• Wasps – (particularly) Family Vespidae
• Ants – Family Formicidae
• Bees - Superfamily Apoidea

Genera The vespids are a family of wasps, including all social wasps and some solitary wasps. ... Subfamilies Aenictogitoninae Agroecomyrmecinae Amblyoponinae (incl. ... Families Andrenidae Anthophoridae Apidae Colletidae Ctenoplectridae Halictidae Heterogynaidae Megachilidae Melittidae Oxaeidae Sphecidae Stenotritidae This article is about the insect. ...

Books on forensic entomology

• Byrd, J. H. and J. L. Castner. "Forensic Entomology: Insects in Legal Investigations". 2001. CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL. (ISBN 0-8493-8120-7)
• Smith, K. G. V. 1986. A Manual of Forensic Entomology. Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY, 205 pp. (ISBN 0-8014-1927-1). A technical hardback designed for professional entomologists.
• Catts, E. P. and N. H. Haskell, eds. 1990. Entomology & Death: A Procedural Guide. Joyce's Print Shop, Inc., Clemson, SC, xii + 182 pp. (ISBN 0-9628696-0-0) Spiralbound also aimed at professional entomologists, but shorter and with a popular style.
• Greenberg, B. and Kunich, J.C., , 2002 Entomology and the Law: Flies as Forensic Indicators Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom 356 pp (ISBN 0-521-80915-0).
• Leclerque , M. 1978 Entomologie médicale et Médecine légale Datation de la Mort, Masson ed. Paris, 112p
• Nuorteva P 1977. Sarcosaprophagous insects as forensic indicators. In CG Tedeschi, WG Eckert & LG Tedeschi (eds), Forensic Medicine: a Study in Trauma and Environmental Hazards, Vol. II, WB Saunders, New York, p.1072-1095.

Other Literature

• Liu, D.; Greenberg, B. 1989 Immature stages of some flies of forensic importance Annals of the Entomological Society of America 82(1):80-93.

History

A brief history of forensic entomology is presented by Mark Benecke[3] Mark Benecke Mark Benecke (born 1970), is a forensic biologist. ...

See also

• Decomposition
• Myiasis, important in legal proceedings where neglect is alleged

“Spoilage” redirects here. ...

External links

Please note - these sites may contain strong graphic images and descriptions.

• Forensic Entomology at the Open Directory Project
• www.forensic-entomology.com
• European Association for Forensic Entomology homepage
• Easily understood outline of Forensic Entomology
• Collection of original articles about Forensic Entomology. Many downloadable illustrated pdf's of cases
• Institute of Forensic Entomology Vienna Click on the pictures for enlargements and graphs
• What happens to the body after death
• Pastoral putrefaction down on the Body Farm: Autopsy, HBO Documentaries
• Dating Death Great Moments of Science
• DNA techniques for forensic entomology
• pdf about forensic entomology Deon Canyon
• Forensic Entomology page from Australia (Ian Dadour)
• Visible Proofs Beautifully designed site.The life cycle of the bowfly. Follow the not so clear Next arrow at the bottom right of each page