Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 2/2007

01-03-2007 | Original Article

Best practice in forensic entomology—standards and guidelines

Authors: Jens Amendt, Carlo P. Campobasso, Emmanuel Gaudry, Christian Reiter, Hélène N. LeBlanc, Martin J. R. Hall

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 2/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Forensic entomology, the use of insects and other arthropods in forensic investigations, is becoming increasingly more important in such investigations. To ensure its optimal use by a diverse group of professionals including pathologists, entomologists and police officers, a common frame of guidelines and standards is essential. Therefore, the European Association for Forensic Entomology has developed a protocol document for best practice in forensic entomology, which includes an overview of equipment used for collection of entomological evidence and a detailed description of the methods applied. Together with the definitions of key terms and a short introduction to the most important methods for the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval, the present paper aims to encourage a high level of competency in the field of forensic entomology.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Adams ZJ, Hall MJ (2003) Methods used for the killing and preservation of blowfly larvae, and their effect on post-mortem larval length. Forensic Sci Int 138:50–61PubMedCrossRef Adams ZJ, Hall MJ (2003) Methods used for the killing and preservation of blowfly larvae, and their effect on post-mortem larval length. Forensic Sci Int 138:50–61PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Ames C, Turner B (2003) Low temperature episodes in development of blowflies: implications for postmortem interval estimation. Med Vet Entomol 17:178–186PubMedCrossRef Ames C, Turner B (2003) Low temperature episodes in development of blowflies: implications for postmortem interval estimation. Med Vet Entomol 17:178–186PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Anderson GS (2000) Minimum and maximum development rates of some forensically important Calliphoridae (Diptera). J Forensic Sci 45:824–832PubMed Anderson GS (2000) Minimum and maximum development rates of some forensically important Calliphoridae (Diptera). J Forensic Sci 45:824–832PubMed
5.
go back to reference Anderson GS, Cervenka VJ (2002) Insects associated with the body: their use and analyses. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Advances in forensic taphonomy—method, theory and archaeological perspectives. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 173–200 Anderson GS, Cervenka VJ (2002) Insects associated with the body: their use and analyses. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Advances in forensic taphonomy—method, theory and archaeological perspectives. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 173–200
6.
go back to reference Birido N, Geraghty JG (2005) Quality control in breast cancer surgery. Eur J Surg Oncol 31:577–586PubMedCrossRef Birido N, Geraghty JG (2005) Quality control in breast cancer surgery. Eur J Surg Oncol 31:577–586PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Budowle B, Garofano P, Hellman A, Ketchum M, Kanthaswamy S, Parson W, van Haeringen W, Fain S, Broad T (2005) Recommendations for animal DNA forensic and identity testing. Int J Legal Med 119:295–302PubMedCrossRef Budowle B, Garofano P, Hellman A, Ketchum M, Kanthaswamy S, Parson W, van Haeringen W, Fain S, Broad T (2005) Recommendations for animal DNA forensic and identity testing. Int J Legal Med 119:295–302PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Byrd JH (2001) Laboratory rearing of forensic insects. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 121–142 Byrd JH (2001) Laboratory rearing of forensic insects. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 121–142
9.
go back to reference Byrd JH, Allen JC (2001) The development of the black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Forensic Sci Int 120:79–88PubMedCrossRef Byrd JH, Allen JC (2001) The development of the black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Forensic Sci Int 120:79–88PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Byrd JH, Castner JL (2001) Insects of forensic importance. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 287–302 Byrd JH, Castner JL (2001) Insects of forensic importance. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 287–302
11.
go back to reference Catts EP, Goff ML (1992) Forensic entomology in criminal investigations. Annu Rev Entomol 37:253–272PubMedCrossRef Catts EP, Goff ML (1992) Forensic entomology in criminal investigations. Annu Rev Entomol 37:253–272PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Catts EP, Haskell NH (1990) Entomology and death—a procedural guide. Joyce’s Print shop, Clemson, USA Catts EP, Haskell NH (1990) Entomology and death—a procedural guide. Joyce’s Print shop, Clemson, USA
13.
go back to reference Campobasso CP, Introna F (2001) The forensic entomologist in the context of the forensic pathologist’s role. Forensic Sci Int 120:132–139PubMedCrossRef Campobasso CP, Introna F (2001) The forensic entomologist in the context of the forensic pathologist’s role. Forensic Sci Int 120:132–139PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Campobasso CP, Di Vella G, Introna F (2001) Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Sci Int 120:18–27PubMedCrossRef Campobasso CP, Di Vella G, Introna F (2001) Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Sci Int 120:18–27PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Clark MA, Worrell MB, Pless JE (1997) Postmortal changes in soft tissues. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Forensic taphonomy: the postmortal fate of human remains. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 151–170 Clark MA, Worrell MB, Pless JE (1997) Postmortal changes in soft tissues. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Forensic taphonomy: the postmortal fate of human remains. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 151–170
16.
go back to reference Donovan SE, Hall MJR, Turner BD, Moncrieff CB (2006) Larval growth rates of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina, over a range of temperatures. Med Vet Entomol 20:1–9CrossRef Donovan SE, Hall MJR, Turner BD, Moncrieff CB (2006) Larval growth rates of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina, over a range of temperatures. Med Vet Entomol 20:1–9CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Gill P, Sparkes R, Kimpton C (1997) Development of guidelines to designate alleles using an STR multiplex system. Forensic Sci Int 89:185–197PubMedCrossRef Gill P, Sparkes R, Kimpton C (1997) Development of guidelines to designate alleles using an STR multiplex system. Forensic Sci Int 89:185–197PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Grassberger M, Reiter C (2001) Effect of temperature on Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development with special reference to the isomegalen- and isomorphen-diagram. Forensic Sci Int 120:32–36PubMedCrossRef Grassberger M, Reiter C (2001) Effect of temperature on Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development with special reference to the isomegalen- and isomorphen-diagram. Forensic Sci Int 120:32–36PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002) Effect of temperature on development of the forensically important holarctic blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 128:177–182PubMedCrossRef Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002) Effect of temperature on development of the forensically important holarctic blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 128:177–182PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002) Effect of temperature on development of Liopygia (= Sarcophaga) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and its forensic implications. J Forensic Sci 47:1332–1336PubMed Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002) Effect of temperature on development of Liopygia (= Sarcophaga) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and its forensic implications. J Forensic Sci 47:1332–1336PubMed
21.
go back to reference Grassberger M, Friedrich E, Reiter C (2003) The blowfly Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as a new forensic indicator in Central Europe. Int J Legal Med 117:75–81PubMed Grassberger M, Friedrich E, Reiter C (2003) The blowfly Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as a new forensic indicator in Central Europe. Int J Legal Med 117:75–81PubMed
22.
go back to reference Greenberg B (1991) Flies as forensic indicators. J Med Entomol 28:565–577PubMed Greenberg B (1991) Flies as forensic indicators. J Med Entomol 28:565–577PubMed
23.
go back to reference Greenberg B, Kunich JC (2002) Entomology and the law—flies as forensic indicators. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK Greenberg B, Kunich JC (2002) Entomology and the law—flies as forensic indicators. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK
24.
go back to reference Greenberg B, Tantawi TI (1993) Different developmental strategies in two boreal flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 30:481–484PubMed Greenberg B, Tantawi TI (1993) Different developmental strategies in two boreal flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 30:481–484PubMed
25.
go back to reference Hall RD (1990) Medicocriminal entomology. In: Catts EP, Haskell NH (eds) Entomology and death. Forensic Entomology Associates, pp 1–8 Hall RD (1990) Medicocriminal entomology. In: Catts EP, Haskell NH (eds) Entomology and death. Forensic Entomology Associates, pp 1–8
26.
go back to reference Haskell NH, Lord WD, Byrd JH (2001) Collection of entomological evidence during death investigations. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 81–120 Haskell NH, Lord WD, Byrd JH (2001) Collection of entomological evidence during death investigations. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology—the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 81–120
27.
go back to reference Henβge C, Madea B, Knight B, Nokes L, Krompecher T (1995) The estimation of the time since death in the early postmortal interval. Arnold, London Henβge C, Madea B, Knight B, Nokes L, Krompecher T (1995) The estimation of the time since death in the early postmortal interval. Arnold, London
28.
go back to reference Introna F, Campobasso CP (2000) Forensic dipterology. In: Papp L, Darvas B (eds) Contributions to a manual of palaearctic diptera 1. General and applied dipterology. Science Herald, Budapest, pp 793–846 Introna F, Campobasso CP (2000) Forensic dipterology. In: Papp L, Darvas B (eds) Contributions to a manual of palaearctic diptera 1. General and applied dipterology. Science Herald, Budapest, pp 793–846
29.
go back to reference Kamal AS (1958) Comparative study of thirteen species of sarcosaprophagous Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera) I. Bionomics. Ann Entomol Soc Am 51:261–271 Kamal AS (1958) Comparative study of thirteen species of sarcosaprophagous Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera) I. Bionomics. Ann Entomol Soc Am 51:261–271
30.
go back to reference Lo TS, Smego RA (2004) Avoiding laboratory pitfalls in infectious diseases. Postgrad Med J 80:660–662PubMedCrossRef Lo TS, Smego RA (2004) Avoiding laboratory pitfalls in infectious diseases. Postgrad Med J 80:660–662PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Lord WD, Burger JF (1983) Collection and preservation of forensically important entomological materials. J Forensic Sci 28:936–944 Lord WD, Burger JF (1983) Collection and preservation of forensically important entomological materials. J Forensic Sci 28:936–944
32.
go back to reference Marchenko MI (2001) Medicolegal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of the time of death. Forensic Sci Int 120:89–109PubMedCrossRef Marchenko MI (2001) Medicolegal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of the time of death. Forensic Sci Int 120:89–109PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Mégnin P (1894) La faune des cadavres. Application de l’ entomologie a la médicine légal, Encyclopdie scientifique des Aides-Mémoire, Masson, Paris Mégnin P (1894) La faune des cadavres. Application de l’ entomologie a la médicine légal, Encyclopdie scientifique des Aides-Mémoire, Masson, Paris
34.
go back to reference Nuorteva P (1977) Sarcosaprophagous insects as forensic indicators. In: Tedeshi GC, Eckert WG, Tedeschi LG (eds) Forensic medicine: a study in trauma and environmental hazards, vol. 2. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, pp 1072–1095 Nuorteva P (1977) Sarcosaprophagous insects as forensic indicators. In: Tedeshi GC, Eckert WG, Tedeschi LG (eds) Forensic medicine: a study in trauma and environmental hazards, vol. 2. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, pp 1072–1095
35.
go back to reference Randall BB, Fierro MF, Froede RC (1998) Practice guideline for forensic pathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 122:1056–1064PubMed Randall BB, Fierro MF, Froede RC (1998) Practice guideline for forensic pathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 122:1056–1064PubMed
36.
go back to reference Reiter C (1984) Zum Wachstumsverhalten der Maden der blauen Schmeiβfliege Calliphora vicina. Z Rechtsmed 91:295–308PubMedCrossRef Reiter C (1984) Zum Wachstumsverhalten der Maden der blauen Schmeiβfliege Calliphora vicina. Z Rechtsmed 91:295–308PubMedCrossRef
37.
go back to reference Ritz-Timme S, Rochholz G, Schutz HW, Collins MJ, Waite ER, Cattaneo C, Kaatsch HJ (2000) Quality assurance in age estimation based on aspartic acid racemisation. Int J Legal Med 114:83–86PubMedCrossRef Ritz-Timme S, Rochholz G, Schutz HW, Collins MJ, Waite ER, Cattaneo C, Kaatsch HJ (2000) Quality assurance in age estimation based on aspartic acid racemisation. Int J Legal Med 114:83–86PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Smith KGV (1986) A manual of forensic entomology. The Trustees, British Museum London Smith KGV (1986) A manual of forensic entomology. The Trustees, British Museum London
39.
go back to reference Tantawi TI, Greenberg B (1993) The effect of killing and preserving solutions on estimates of maggot age in forensic cases. J Forensic Sci 38:702–707PubMed Tantawi TI, Greenberg B (1993) The effect of killing and preserving solutions on estimates of maggot age in forensic cases. J Forensic Sci 38:702–707PubMed
40.
go back to reference Wall R, French N, Morgan KL (1992) Effects of temperature on the development and abundance of the sheep blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Bull Entomol Res 82:125–131CrossRef Wall R, French N, Morgan KL (1992) Effects of temperature on the development and abundance of the sheep blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Bull Entomol Res 82:125–131CrossRef
41.
go back to reference Warren JA, Anderson GS (2005) Effects of constant temperature regimes between 9.8°C and 32°C on development rates of Protophormia terraenovae (R-D) in British Columbia, Canada. In: Abstract of the third meeting of the European Association for Forensic Entomology, Lausanne, Switzerland, 27–29 April 2005, p 26 Warren JA, Anderson GS (2005) Effects of constant temperature regimes between 9.8°C and 32°C on development rates of Protophormia terraenovae (R-D) in British Columbia, Canada. In: Abstract of the third meeting of the European Association for Forensic Entomology, Lausanne, Switzerland, 27–29 April 2005, p 26
Metadata
Title
Best practice in forensic entomology—standards and guidelines
Authors
Jens Amendt
Carlo P. Campobasso
Emmanuel Gaudry
Christian Reiter
Hélène N. LeBlanc
Martin J. R. Hall
Publication date
01-03-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-006-0086-x

Other articles of this Issue 2/2007

International Journal of Legal Medicine 2/2007 Go to the issue