Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology / Edition 1

by Jens Amendt, M.Lee Goff, Carlo P. Campobasso, Martin Grassberger

Overview

Forensic Entomology deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medico legal investigations. We are sure that many people know this or a similar definition, maybe even already read a scientific or popular book dealing with this topic. So, do we really need another book on Forensic Entomology? The answer is 13, 29, 31, 38, and 61. These are not some golden bingo numbers, but an excerpt of the increasing amount of annual publications in the current decade dealing with Forensic Entomology. Comparing them with 89 articles which were published d- ing the 1990s it illustrates the growing interest in this very special intersection of Forensic Science and Entomology and clearly underlines the statement: Yes, we need this book because Forensic Entomology is on the move with so many new things happening every year. One of the most attractive features of Forensic Entomology is that it is multid- ciplinary. There is almost no branch in natural science which cannot find its field of activity here. The chapters included in this book highlight this variety of researches and would like to give the impetus for future work, improving the dev- opment of Forensic Entomology, which is clearly needed by the scientific com- nity. On its way to the courtrooms of the world this discipline needs a sound and serious scientific background to receive the acceptance it deserves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402096839
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	01/14/2010
Edition description:	2010
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

1 Early Postmortem Changes and Stages of Decomposition M. Lee Goff 1

2 Keys for Identification of Immature Insects Patricia J. Thyssen 25

3 Key for the Identification of Third Instars of European Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Importance Krzysztof Szpila 43

4 The Utility of Coleoptera in Forensic Investigations John M. Midgley Cameron S. Richards Martin H. Villet 57

5 Phoretic Mites and Carcasses: Acari Transported by Organisms Associated with Animal and Human Decomposition M. Alejandra Perotti Henk R. Braig M. Lee Goff 69

6 Indoor Arthropods of Forensic Importance: Insects Associated with Indoor Decomposition and Mites as Indoor Markers Crystal L. Frost Henk R. Braig Jens Amendt M. Alejandra Perotti 93

7 Contemporary Precision, Bias and Accuracy of Minimum Post-Mortem Intervals Estimated Using Development of Carrion-Feeding Insects Martin H. Villet Cameron S. Richards John M. Midgley 109

8 Analysing Forensic Entomology Data Using Additive Mixed Effects Modelling Elena N. leno Jens Amendt Heike Fremdt Anatoly A. Saveliev Alain F. Zuur 139

9 Toxicology and Forensic Entomology Lucila Maria Lopes de Carvalho 163

10 Cuticular Hydrocarbons: A New Tool in Forensic Entomology? Falko P. Drijfhout 179

11 Exploiting Insect Olfaction in Forensic Entomology Heléne N. LéBlanc James G. Logan 205

12 Decomposition and Invertebrate Colonization of Cadavers in Coastal Marine Environments Gail S. Anderson 223

13 The Insects Colonisation of Buried Remains Emmanuel Gaudry 273

14 Forensic Implications of Myiasis M. Lee Goff Carlo P. Campobasso Mirella Gherardi 313

15 Climate Change and Forensic Entomology Margherita Turchetto Stefano Vanin 327

16 Future Trends in Forensic Entomology Jens Amendt Richard Zehner Diana G. Johnson Jeffrey Wells 353

Index 369

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

“The major attraction of this book is its coverage of a wide diversity of subjects related to forensic entomology. This field deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medicolegal investigations. … The work provides detailed information regarding the role of beetles and mites in determining PMI. … The topics covered in this reference are most suitable for active practitioners and researchers in forensic entomology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate through professional collections.” (R. Saferstein, Choice, Vol. 48 (2), October, 2010)

“It is a multidisciplinary view of forensic entomology, primarily aimed at young scientists and lay readers. … As is the case for most multidisciplinary projects, the chapters of this book were written by different authors. … As expected, the different chapters meet the expectations of readers in different ways. … this book is a good, comprehensive acquisition for the general reader.” (E. G. P. Fox, European Journal of Entomology, Vol. 108, 2011)

From the Publisher