Forensic Entomology

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles.asp?pid=112

Tonberlin, Jeffrey, John Wallace, and Jason Byrd. "Forensic Entomology: Myths Busted!." Forensic magazine October/November 2006:

With the advent of new forensics technology such as biometric detection and improved DNA testing, “classic” forensics such as ballistics, fingerprinting, and entomology have taken a backseat. While the accuracy and reliability of such methods have recently been called into question, I believe that they still have a role to play even in modern times.

Forensic entomology is aptly named. Basically, it is the use of entomology (the study of bugs) in forensics. Forensic entomologists use knowledge of the life cycles and behaviors of insects to aid in the investigation of a crime. For example, if an entomologist finds a larva on a deceased body that he or she knows takes two days to develop, that knowledge can be used to help pinpoint the time of death. If an insect that likes dry places is found on a body found in a swamp, it might indicate that the body had been moved some time after death.

While forensic entomology is often considered to be inaccurate and not a true forensic science, I feel that it definitely has uses. Entomologists have studied for decades the life cycles of insects, and as a result can relatively accurately place the time of death. The article specifically mentions that entomologists can give the shortest amount of time that a deceased has been dead, since they can compare the growth of insects to the growth of control insects under perfect conditions. While information like this isn’t going to solve a mystery by itself, it’s a piece of the greater puzzle that forensics tries to piece together.

One of the reasons I find forensic entomology fascinating is how different it is from other forms of forensics. Rather than computers, testing labs, and machinery that dominate other areas of forensics, we have an entirely different but still complex machine: a living organism. One that can tell us where a body has been, give clues about what happened, and sometimes even hint at poisons or drugs. All information important to forensics, but gained a different way. Entomology is the alternative medicine, if you will, of forensics. Even in an age of DNA identification, retinal scanning, and computer reconstruction, there is still always the use of older, simpler techniques.

The article is interesting since it is written in a “Mythbusters” format, debugging (if you will forgive the pun) some common misconceptions about forensic entomology. I find it interesting that even this old (there have been anecdotes of use of entomology dating back to the 1800s and probably prior), decidedly not flashy technology is not immune to the “CSI” effect.

With the development of new forensics technology and revelations about possible inaccuracies with old methodologies, I fear that old methods such as ballistics, entomology, polygraphs, and the like will go the way of the dinosaur. While older methods may be less accurate than today’s modern techniques, they still play a key role in the investigation of crimes.