Forensic Entomology: Highly Diverse Study Of Insects

Define forensic entomology?

Entomology is the highly diverse study of insects and is a subarea of anthropology. The forensic section of entomology deals with application of the the study of how insects relate to criminal matters. In most cases they deal with time of death determinations, location of death, and determining whether the body was moved or not. Bugs eat materials inside of and outside of the body throughout decomposition. A way to use them to determine how long someone has been dead, is by observing where in the life cycle the insects are at that time. They can then use their place in their life cycle to calculate the age of the insects and the time of death based on commonly accepted variables. Insect larvae are generally some of the best insect samples for determining time of death. Entomologists can use samples of insects found on bodies or at the scene of the crime to determine where the body was likely killed. Certain bugs are endemic to a specific region or area, so finding them on or in the body limits the likely location of death. They can also use this information to determine whether or not a body was moved before or after death. …show more content…
The temperature of the environment can cause insects to be less active or absent from the environment. Clothes and or objects covering up the body can also prevent insects from having access to the body. A lack of places for bugs to enter the body can also distort the information that entomologists are able to collect. The longer insects exist within or on the body, the less accurate the information