NCJ Number
211067
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 49-67
Date Published
June 2005
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study conducted experiments to determine whether entomological evidence could be recovered after a series of house fires, and once recovered if there would be enough entomological evidence (i.e. insect colonization) remaining to allow a forensic entomologist to estimate elapsed time since death.
Abstract
Forensic entomology is the study of insects associated with a dead body. It is commonly used in death investigations to estimate the elapsed time since death. Insects colonize a body in a predictable pattern and develop at predictable rates, based on many environmental parameters. For entomological evidence to be of value, an entomologist must study the insects collected from the victim and determine species and stage of insect. Fires are easy to set which makes them a common method used when attempting to obliterate the evidence of a crime. Arson fires are set for many reasons, one of which is to hide or disguise a crime. This study examined the intensity of house fires and the potential for destroying and recovering forensic evidence. A series of four house fires, varying in intensity were initiated utilizing a 60-year old single, detached house. Four pig carcasses were used in the experiment. Three of the pig carcasses were allowed to decompose inside a house until they reached the active decay stage of decomposition. Blow flies had colonized the remains, so considerable entomological evidence was present by this time. A fourth carcass, which decomposed outside and colonized by blow flies as well as larval and adult Coleoptera was removed from the field site and placed in the basement of the house just before the setting of the fires. After all four fires, identifiable entomological evidence was recovered, making it clear that even intense fire may not destroy vital evidence. Figures, references