Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Forensic Entomology: The Use of Insects in Solving Crimes

Gaikwad Agarwal^{* *}Correspondence: Gaikwad Agarwal, Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Dambi Dollo University, Dambi Dollo, Ethiopia, Email:

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Description

Forensic entomology is a field of study that uses insects to aid in the investigation of crimes. Insects can provide valuable information about the circumstances surrounding a crime, such as the time of death, location of death, and whether or not a body has been moved. The field of forensic entomology has become an increasingly important tool in criminal investigations, and its use has led to many successful convictions [1].

The use of insects in forensic investigations dates back to ancient times. The Chinese were known to use insects to determine the time of death as early as the 13th century [2]. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that the use of insects in forensic investigations became more widespread.

The most common insects used in forensic investigations are blowflies, beetles, and ants. Blowflies are particularly useful in determining the time of death because they are attracted to the scent of decaying flesh [3]. They are often the first insects to arrive at a body and can lay eggs within hours of death. The development of the larvae can be used to estimate the time of death with a high degree of accuracy [4].

Forensic entomology applications

Beetles are also important in forensic investigations. They are often found on bodies that have been dead for longer periods of time, as they are attracted to dry and decaying flesh. Beetles can also provide information about the location of death, as they are often specific to certain environments [5].

Ants can also be useful in forensic investigations, particularly in cases where a body has been moved [6]. Ants can be attracted to the scent of decomposing flesh and can leave behind telltale signs of their activity, such as bite marks on the body or soil disturbance around the burial site [7].

Forensic entomologists use a variety of techniques to collect and analyze insect evidence. One common technique is the use of pitfall traps, which are used to capture crawling insects. Other techniques include the use of sticky traps, sweep nets, and light traps.

Once the insects have been collected, they are analyzed in a laboratory. This involves determining the species of the insect, the stage of development, and the temperature and humidity conditions in which the insect was found. This information can be used to estimate the time of death, as well as provide other valuable information about the circumstances surrounding the crime [8].

The use of forensic entomology in criminal investigations has led to many successful convictions. One notable case is that of Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer who was convicted in 1992. Forensic entomologists were able to use blowflies found on the victim's body to estimate the time of death, which helped to establish Dahmer's guilt [9].

Another notable case is that of the Green River Killer, who was responsible for the murders of at least 49 women in the Seattle area in the 1980s and 1990s. Forensic entomologists were able to use the presence of beetles found on the victims' bodies to determine that the bodies had been moved after death, which helped to narrow down the search for the killer.

The use of insects in forensic investigations has also led to new scientific discoveries. For example, forensic entomologists have discovered new species of insects that are specific to certain types of environments, such as buried bodies or bodies found in water [10]. This information can be useful in understanding the ecological factors that influence the development of these insects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of forensic entomology is not without its limitations. One of the main limitations is that the development of insects is influenced by a wide range of environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity. This means that the estimates of time of death can be imprecise, particularly in cases where the body has been exposed to extreme environmental conditions.

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