The Science of Forensic Entomology

David B. Rivers, Gregory A. Dahlem

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781119640660
• eBook ISBN: 9781119640684
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Forensic Medicine

A thoroughly updated introduction to forensic entomology

In the newly revised second edition of The Science of Forensic Entomology, two distinguished entomologists deliver a foundational and practical resource that equips students and professionals to be able to understand and resolve questions concerning the presence of specific insects at crime scenes. Each chapter in the book addresses a topic that delves into the underlying biological principles and concepts relevant to the insect biology that grounds the use of insects in legal and investigational contexts.

In addition to non-traditional topics, including the biology of maggot masses, temperature tolerances of necrophagous insects, chemical attraction and communication, reproductive strategies of necrophagous flies, and archaeoentomology, the book also offers readers:

• A thorough introduction to the role of forensic science in criminal investigations and the history of forensic entomology
• Comprehensive discussions of the biology, taxonomy, and natural history of forensically important insects
• Fulsome treatments of the postmortem decomposition of human remains and vertebrate carrion
• In-depth introduction to the concepts of accumulated degree days and the use of insect development for estimation of the postmortem interval
• New chapters dedicated to forensic entomotoxicology, aquatic insects in forensic investigations, microbiomes of forensic insects and carrion, professional standards, and case studies

Perfect for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in forensic entomology, forensic biology, and general forensic science, The Science of Forensic Entomology will also earn a place in the libraries of law enforcement and forensic investigators, as well as researchers in forensic entomology

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• About the companion website
• Chapter 1 Role of forensic science in criminal investigations
• Chapter 2 History of forensic entomology
• Chapter 3 Role of insects and other arthropods in urban and stored product entomology
• Chapter 4 Introduction to entomology
• Chapter 5 Biology, taxonomy, and natural history of forensically important insects
• Chapter 6 Reproductive strategies of necrophagous flies
• Chapter 7 Chemical attraction and communication
• Chapter 8 Biology of the maggot mass
• Chapter 9 Temperature tolerances of necrophagous insects
• Chapter 10 Postmortem decomposition of human remains and vertebrate carrion
• Chapter 11 Insect succession on carrion under natural and artificial conditions
• Chapter 12 Decomposition in aquatic environments
• Chapter 13 Microbiomes of carrion and forensic insects
• Chapter 14 Postmortem interval
• Chapter 15 Insect stains and artifacts: alterations of bloodstain and body fluid evidence
• Chapter 16 Necrophagous and parasitic flies as indicators of neglect and abuse
• Chapter 17 Wildlife forensics
• Chapter 18 Forensic Entomotoxicology
• Chapter 19 Application of molecular methods to forensic entomology
• Chapter 20 Archaeoentomology: insects and archaeology
• Chapter 21 Insects as weapons of war and threats to national security
• Chapter 22 Insects and arthropods that cause death
• Chapter 23 Professional standards and ethics
• Chapter 24 Forensic entomology case studies
• Appendix I Collection and preservation of calyptrate Diptera
• Appendix II Getting specimens identified
• Appendix III Necrophagous fly and beetle life table references
• Appendix IV Current names for species in Aldrich’s Sarcophaga and allies
• Glossary
• Index
• EULA