NCJ Number
118067
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1989) Pages: 622-632
Date Published
1989
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Although its potential is great, the use of aquatic insects in determining submersion intervals at death-scene investigations has not been exploited in the past.
Abstract
Aquatic environments have no known true specific indicator species, as do terrestrial habitats. However, aquatic environmental studies show that organisms may colonize a substrate dependent on factors such as size, position, exposure to current, water temperature, current speed, water depth, the presence of algal communities, or detritus. Certain aquatic insects such as the chironomid midges (Deptera, Chironomidae) and caddisflies (Trichoptera) are capable of colonizing immersed bodies; and with the known biology of a specific species of insect for a certain geographic area, time intervals of submersion can be established. (Author abstract)