NCJ Number
198407
Date Published
2002
Length
315 pages
Annotation
Focusing on carrion flies as important forensic indicators of time of death, this book discusses fly biology and how that biology can lead to forensic evidence useful in determining time of death.
Abstract
The primary purpose of this book is to provide both the entomologist and the trial lawyer with the information necessary to navigate successfully the hazards that threaten forensic entomology evidence. The first chapters examine the biology of the species of flies that visit human bodies after they die. Given the established scientific data on time frames for the colonization, life cycles, and behavioral patterns of the various insect species that can interact with corpses, they can become valuable evidence in death investigations. After reviewing the history of flies and their forensic biology, Part 1 of this book discusses the keys to the eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of some forensically important flies. Also included in Part 1 are chapters on problems in estimating the time of death and the relevance of patterns in the biology of flies to actual court cases. Part 2 of this book focuses on the use of entomology evidence in court. Chapters delve into the case law and statutory law of the United States and other major nations of the world, so as to make these chapters a global resources for the legal practitioners and scientific experts who evaluate and use forensic entomology evidence and other scientific evidence in litigation. In addition to the law of scientific evidence, chapters in Part 2 address the admissibility of forensic entomology evidence, as well as the introduction and optimal use of forensic entomology evidence at trial. Numerous illustrations, chapter notes, and a subject index