Forensic entomology is the study of insects in relations to dead bodies. The bugs could be the cause of death, the one thing solving the mystery, or a tool in deciding how long the body has been deceased. Forensic entomology is a diverse and important aspect of forensic science.
When entomologists look at bees and wasps for instance, these insects have played different rolls in forensic files. In many cases of child abuse there is the presence of bee and wasp stings as a form of punishment. These stinging insects have also been the cause of single occupant car accidents.
Many different insect play rolls in all crime scenes. A variety of insects can negatively effect a crime scene for an untrained analyst. Little things like a fly feeding on blood and tissue of a diseased person can change the crime scene. As well as cockroaches walking through blood splatter can throw off an investigator. But with the help of forensic entomologist this tiny culprits no longer impact the investigation. Forensic entomology is important not only because bugs can change crime scenes but also because bugs are the first thing that gets to the body after death and can help determine how long someone has been dead.
Different circumstances change the level of decomposition before discovery and the speed at which it occurs such as deaths inside of hospitals and other care facilities. But in the end bugs, microbes, and decomposition finds us all. Microbes and bacteria in the body begin the decomposition of the body. Decomposition can be broken down into five basic stages; fresh, putrefaction, fermentation, dry decay, and skeletonization. Each stage has its own characteristics allowing for time sense death to be determined.
Blow Flies are the most common insects to be found on any dead organism whether it be human or animal. This makes flies the most reliable source of figuring time sense death when it comes to entomology. These flies flock to the body to feed and lay their eggs in open wounds or orifices within two days after death. They are attracted to the smell of body fluids and gases. Therefore flies initiate the consumption and decomposition of the body. Their larva begin to hatch, grow, feed, and colonize the body.
Another insect that will colonize the body with larva is the Beetles. Beetles and fly larva look similar but with closer inspection entomologists can spot the difference. Beetles will feed on the body and even fly larva. Beetles don't reach the body as quickly as flies because these insects are attracted the smell of decomposing fat on the body. The decomposition of fat does not occur until the putrefaction stage in decomposition.
Depending on the location of the body and how long it has been in its environment many other arthropods will find their way to the body. This and many other environmental decomposition stages are researched at body farms. Body farms are especially helpful to entomologist because they can observe the stages of decomposition. With this resource available, forensic entomologists can better determine time sense death and other factors pertaining to crime scenes as needed.
