Forensic Entomology. The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations

Summary

Insects and other arthropods found at a death scene can provide corroborating evidence regarding both the time and place of death as well as possible antimortem and postmortem treatment of the victim. Nevertheless, most forensic investigators are not specially trained in entomology, and until now, no entomology reference has fully explored these subjects. Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations usurps this void, instructing even individuals without a background in entomology on what to search for when recovering entomological evidence at a crime scene.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Perceptions and Status of Forensic Entomology, Robert D. Hall
General Entomology and Arthropod Biology, James L. Castner
Insects of Forensic Importance, Jason H. Byrd and James L. Castner
Collection of Entomological Evidence During Death Investigations,Neal H. Haskell, Wayne D. Lord, and Jason H. Byrd
Laboratory Rearing of Forensic Insects, Jason H. Byrd
Insect Succession on Carrion and its Relationship to Determining Time of Death, Gail S. Anderson
The Role of Aquatic Insects in Forensic Investigations, Richard W. Merritt, and John R. Wallace
Recovering Buried Bodies and Surface Scatter: The Associated Anthropological, Botanical, and Entomological Evidence, Alison Galloway, Heather A. Walsh-Haney, and Jason H. Byrd
Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval, Jeffery D. Wells and Lynn R. LaMotte
Insect Development and Forensic Entomology, Leon G. Higley and Neal H. Haskell
Computer Modeling of Insect Growth and Its Application to Forensic Entomology, Jason H. Byrd and Jon C. Allen
Entomotoxicology: Insects as Toxicological Indicators and the Impact of Drugs and Toxins on Insect Development, M.L. Goff and Wayne D. Lord
DNA Techniques for Forensic Entomology, Mark Benecke and Jeffrey D. Wells
Entomological Alteration of Bloodstain Evidence, Rosemary Brown, Roger Hawkes, M Anderson Parker, Jason H. Byrd
The Forensic Entomologist as Expert Witness, Robert D. Hall
Glossary
Index

Author/Author Affiliation

* Jason H. Byrd
* James L. Castner, Pittsburg State University, Kansas, USA

Editorial Reviews

"…extraordinarily useful for law enforcement personnel, medical examiners, and coroners, and for trial testimony and deposition." - William F. Hamilton, M.D., Medical Examiner, District 8, State of Florida

"forensic entomology in criminal investigations, there is much of interest for the more general reader, whether entomologist, pathologist or general physician. …well organized and produced…Moreover, it is, given CRC's reputation for expensive books, surprisingly good value for money." - -Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, Vol. 95, No. 6, 637-640 (2001)