A Bibliography Related to Crime Scene Interpretation with ...

Netting of flying insects over a cadaverEntomologyThe collection and analyses of insects, or invertebrates, from crime scenes is generally wellknown among homicide investigators and death scene investigators. It has been the compiler’s experience, however,that the actual practice of such collection outside the presence of a forensic entomologist, is still overlooked oravoided. Often an attitude prevails that that level of information is not necessary given the investigator’s knowledgeof when an abduction took place or a subject’s confession. In other situations, collections are not made simplybecause the investigators are not properly equipped with packaging materials, or are not sure of what to do with, orhow to store, live specimens. Entomological evidence is unique in that it is, in most criminal investigations, the onlytype of non-human evidence consisting of living, moving, species. It is the hope of the compiler that this sectionwill offer some answers toward appropriate collection procedures and equipment which are not expensive, do notinvolve a lot of time, or the need for additional manpower. The proper collection of entomological samplescombined with accurate spatial, temporal, and environmental data, can yield valuable information towarddetermining postmortem intervals. Subject/Witness statements might be supported or disproved. Works such asCatts and Haskell (1990), and Lord and Burger (1983) have become standards in the field of forensic entomologicalprocedures. Many of the works below include laboratory analyses and research. That research goes beyondaddressing the timing of a death or deposition (post-mortem interval) to toxicological determinations, interpretationsof death scene versus depositional environments, et cetera.Abbott, C.E.1937 The Necrophilous Habit of Coleoptera. Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, 32:202-204.Abell, D.H., S.S. Wasti, and G. Hartmann1982 Saprophagous Arthropod Fauna Associated with Turtle Carrion. Applied Entomological Zoology, 17: 301-307.Acikgoz, H.N., I.H. Hanci, and G. Cetin2002 How Can We Make Use of Insects in Forensic Cases? Ankara University Law Journal, 51(3):117-125.310