A Roadmap for Bridging Basic and Applied Research in Forensic Entomology

Abstract

The National Research Council issued a report in 2009 that heavily criticized the forensic sciences. The report made several recommendations that if addressed would allow the forensic sciences to develop a stronger scientific foundation. We suggest a roadmap for decomposition ecology and forensic entomology hinging on a framework built on basic research concepts in ecology, evolution, and genetics. Unifying both basic and applied research fields under a common umbrella of terminology and structure would facilitate communication in the field and the production of scientific results. It would also help to identify novel research areas leading to a better understanding of principal underpinnings governing ecosystem structure, function, and evolution while increasing the accuracy of and ability to interpret entomological evidence collected from crime scenes. By following the proposed roadmap, a bridge can be built between basic and applied decomposition ecology research, culminating in science that could withstand the rigors of emerging legal and cultural expectations.

Delayed insect access alters carrion decomposition and necrophagous insect community assembly

“…These arrival data are important for understanding the ecological interactions of organisms utilizing carrion (e.g., members of the necrobiome) and to help identify future research directions of insect behavioral cascades on community level dynamics and ecosystem processes (Tomberlin et al 2011. Our results confirm reported arrival patterns of blow flies to carrion, followed by secondary colonizers such as beetles and lesser flies (e.g., Prochyliza spp.…”

“…For instance, carrion nutrient transfer between ecosystems can result from blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) consumption and dispersal (Hocking and Reimchen 2006, Hocking et al 2009, Parmenter and MacMahon 2009 or vertebrate scavenging (Wilson andWolkovich 2011, Beasley et al 2012). Necrophagous arthropod attraction, colonization, development, and migration can affect nutrient transformation and release and thus local biodiversity (Hocking and Reimchen 2006, Lisi and Schindler 2011, Tomberlin et al 2011, Hawlena et al 2012, which can ultimately impact landscape biodiversity depending on the density and frequency of carrion (Yang et al 2008, Barton et al 2013. While many organisms utilize these ephemeral resources the mechanisms governing attraction, consumption, utilization and nutrient transformation of carrion are only beginning to be investigated.…”

Genetic Identification of Necrophagous Insect Species (Diptera) of Forensic Importance Sampled from Swine Carcasses in Mato Grosso, Midwestern Brazil

“…Showing that in recent decades there has been growing interest in research into the biology and ecology of insects with potential forensic applications [13,56]. Therefore, it must be considered that the active decay phase for the decomposition process in Cuiaba region, starts in the third day after death, for the rainy season, and second day after death for the dry season.…”

“…A variety of necrophagous insect species occurs on or around cadavers and carcasses depending on their preference for a given stage of decomposition [13]. Systematized and pioneer studies of cadaver entomofauna were published in Mégnin's book [14]; the author listed the chronological sequence of body decomposition and insect colonization.…”

Adli bilimlerde entomolojinin uygulanması

“…Insect evidences are used to determine of postmortem interval or estimate period of insect activity. Insect activity (PIA) period is described as the time from insect colonization until discovery of the corpses following death (Tomberlin et al, 2011). This period depend upon environmental condition (rain, low temperatures, wrapping the corpse) (Amendt et al, 2006).…”