The Entomologist at the Crime Scene
• Should be at scene with initial investigation team
• Should have access to autopsy
• Request scene photos
• Proper collection kit
Collection kit
• Net
• Vials and Kill Jars
• Forceps and small paint brushes
• Live specimen containers, foil, vermiculite, and food
• Labels (adhesive and non-adhesive)
• #2 graphite pencil
• Hand trowel or garden spade
• Thermometers
• Camera
• Ruler
• Preservation and collection chemicals (Ethyl alcoholethyl acetate)
• Small backpacking stove or other heat source andBeaker, Water
• Paper towels
• Disposable gloves
• Sifting screens
• Death scene form
Scene Observations and Weather Data• Contact officer in charge
• Observations of the scene (use death scene form)
• General habitat/location of body
• Sun, shade, vegetation, proximity to doors/windows (esp. if open)
• Insects and stages, locations
• Vertebral scavenging
• Predation of insects
• Possible insect artifacts on body
Collection of meteorological data at the scene
• Ambient air temperature (approx. chest height)
• Maggot mass temperature
• Ground surface temperature
• Between body and ground
• Soil under body
• Max/min daily temperatures at scene for 3-5 days
Weather data
• Approx. 2 weeks before--3-5 days after discovery
• Nearest weather station
• Max and min daily temperatures
• Rainfall
Insect collection at the scene: From the Body
• Adults first
• Pinned/in alcohol
• Label correctly--inside and out
• Use pencil only
• Larval Collection
• Largest most important
• 50-60 preserved, others live for rearing
• Representative sample of everything
Geographical LocationDate/hour of collection
Case #Location on BodyName of Collector
Insect collection at the scene: Around the body
• Exam area around in body
• Concentric circles
• Soil samples
• Beneath bodyesp. near maggot mass
• Litter Samples
Insect collection at Autopsy
• May find different stages
• Clothing, body bag, other areas of bodies
• Take into account cooling
Identification and Rearing
• Identify largest insects first
• Maggots may be hard to identify
• Rear out live insects to identify adults
• Estimate degree days
Larvae Identification
• Larvae look similar
• Easiest to identify 3rd instar
• Spiracles, mouth hooks
• Larger, easier to see
• 1st and 2nd instar: 2 spiracle slits
• 3rd instar: 3 spiracle slits
Larvae Identification
Mouth hooks
Spiracles
Move by extension/contraction of body
Change slightlyeach instar
PS: pharyngeal sclerite
DC: dorsal lobes of PS
VC: ventral cornua of PS
HS: hypostomal sclerite
MS: mandibular sclerite
DS: dental scleriteMH: mouth hook
DO: external dorsal sensory organs
Muscid
Phormia Lucillia
Identification and Rearing
• Identify largest insects first
• Maggots may be hard to identify
• Rear out live insects to identify adults
• Estimate degree days