Twenty years ago the use of entomology in a crime scene investigation was considered bizarre, despite the solid scientific background and documented historical applications. Today, the use of insect evidence is an accepted sub-discipline in modern forensic science. Nevertheless, forensic entomology is still growing and remains a living scientific discipline with many branches.
The present book highlights this diversity by collecting contributions dealing with novel aspects, for example, marine biology, chemical ecology and acarology, as well as the basic disciplines like entomotoxiciology and decomposition. It also offers keys for immature insects, discussions of important pitfalls and introductions to the statistical evaluation of data sets. Many topics are covered in depth for the first time. All the authors are leading experts in their respective fields of research. Their chapters show directions for future research for both new and veteran forensic entomologists.
- Preface
- Early Postmortem Changes and Stages of Decomposition
- Key for Identification of Immature Insects
- Key for the identification of third instars of European blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance
- The utility of Coleoptera in forensic investigations
- Phoretic Mites and Carcasses: Acari Transported by Organisms associated with Animal and Human Decomposition
- Indoor Arthropods of Forensic Importance: Insects Associated with Indoor Decomposition and Mites as Indoor Markers
- Contemporary precision, bias and accuracy of minimum post-mortem intervals estimated using development of carrion feeding insects
- Analysing forensic entomology data using additive mixed effects modelling
- Toxicology and Forensic Entomology
- Cuticular hydrocarbons -- a new tool for forensic entomology? Exploiting Insect Olfaction in Forensic Entomology
- Decomposition and invertebrate colonization of cadavers in coastal marine environments
- The insects colonization of buried remains
- Forensic Implications of Myiasis
- Climate change and forensic entomology
- Future Trends in Forensic Entomology
"The major attraction of this book is its coverage of a wide diversity of subjects related to forensic entomology. This field deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medicolegal investigations. [...] The work provides detailed information regarding the role of beetles and mites in determining PMI. [...] The topics covered in this reference are most suitable for active practitioners and researchers in forensic entomology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate through professional collections."
- R. Saferstein, Choice, Vol. 48 (2), October, 2010
"It is a multidisciplinary view of forensic entomology, primarily aimed at young scientists and lay readers. [...] As is the case for most multidisciplinary projects, the chapters of this book were written by different authors. [...] As expected, the different chapters meet the expectations of readers in different ways. [...] this book is a good, comprehensive acquisition for the general reader."
- E. G. P. Fox, European Journal of Entomology, Vol. 108, 2011