Forensic Entomology & Forensic Anthropology

Introduction

Criminal investigations and human remains are common topics in both of these professions. Insects left behind on a body during various stages of decomposition are processed by forensic entomology. The stage and pace of decomposition are determined by forensic entomologists, who can then reveal the time of death. If the body has been moved from one area to another, they can also determine what regions it has been in.

To identify unidentified remains, assess trauma, and calculate the passing of time, forensic anthropology is used. These two professions frequently collaborate with law enforcement, but they approach two very distinct investigations with the remains in very different ways.

Definition of Forensic Entomology

The study of the insects found near a human corpse is known as forensic (or medico-legal) entomology, which aims to establish the passing of time since death. Insect evidence may also indicate that the body was transported to a different location after passing away or that it had been disturbed at some point, perhaps by animals or the murderer returning to the crime scene. But nowadays, forensic entomology’s main objective is to establish the passing of time since death.

History of Forensic Entomology

The first documented application of forensic entomology was in 13th-century China, and it was irregularly employed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to several very significant cases. However, forensic entomology has increased in popularity in police investigations during the past 20 years. Some of us created the American Board of Forensic Entomology in 1996 as a board for forensic entomologists seeking certification, much as the boards that certify forensic odontologists and forensic anthropologists.

Since other forensic techniques are equally or more accurate before this point than the bug evidence, most cases involving a forensic entomologist are 72 hours or older. However, after three days, bug evidence is frequently the most reliable and perhaps the only way to calculate the amount of time since death.

Other Uses for Insects in Forensic Science

• It’s possible that the body was transported from the murder location to a hiding place after the victim passed away. Some of the insects on the body might not be indigenous to the second habitat but rather to the first. This will demonstrate that the body was not only relocated, but it will also reveal the type of location where the murder truly occurred.
• The murderer might have disturbed the body after the victim passed away by going back to the crime scene. The entomologist might be able to ascertain not only the date of death but also the date of the killer’s return if this disturbs the insects’ life cycle.
• The location and existence of wounds, as decay can hide wounds. When insects colonise a body, they do so in a certain way. Typically, they start by laying their eggs in the facial orifices, unless there are any wounds. In this instance, they start with the wounds and work their way down the body. It is most likely the site of a wound if the maggot activity is concentrated away from the natural orifices. For instance, maggot activity on the hands’ palms suggests that possible defence wounds are present.
• Insect evidence can be used to detect the presence of drugs. Maggots bioaccumulate such that they can be tested to determine the sort of drug present when there isn’t often enough meat left to determine drug presence.
• A suspect may be located at the crime site using insects. For instance, a rapist and the rape scene were connected using a bug found within a cocklebur.
• Insect evidence is occasionally used in civil proceedings.
• Abuse or neglect of a kid or senior. On a living person, some insects will settle in open wounds or unhygienic regions. It’s known as cutaneous myiasis. In these situations, the sufferer is still alive but infected with maggots. A forensic entomologist will be able to determine the time of the injury or abuse. For instance, when it comes to neglected children, the onset of a maggot infestation will indicate when the youngster last changed their diaper, at the very least. These cases primarily affect elderly people and little children.

Drawbacks of Forensic Entomology

1. The temperature of the death place is obviously a very crucial component, but not many murderers are kind enough to murder their victim directly below a weather station. The weather records typically come from locations that are several kilometres away. To get around this, we installed a small weather station at the death site after it was discovered. We then compared these data with those from the weather station to see whether there was any difference between the two places. Additionally, the microclimate of the corpse will differ slightly from that of the surroundings, particularly if a mound of maggots is present. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of any mass presence.
2. Results do not appear right away because it takes time to raise the insects. To hasten the identification of immature specimens, DNA evidence is now being developed.
3. The body might have been disposed of to keep insects out. e.g.
   • Freezing: Insects would only invade if the body was frozen for a while before being left outside, say on May 8; this would give the false impression that the death occurred on May 8. Insect evidence will still be used to identify the time of exposure, and other forensic experts will be able to assess whether the body has been frozen.
   • Burial: Most insects will be kept out if the body is buried deeply. Although the goal of most criminal funerals is to conceal the dead, most insects will dig down to the body, especially if the soil is blood-soaked. As a result, most criminal burials are not very deep. As a result, insect evidence is still applicable.
   • Wrapped: Insects may be kept out of the body if it is wrapped or packaged in some fashion, but the packaging must be entirely secure. A body part was discovered wrapped in a trash bag with the top tightly secured, but the remnants were severely insect-damaged and maggot-infested. The knot is likely where the adult females lay their eggs, and the first-instar larvae quickly made their way inside.^[1]

Definition of Forensic Anthropology

In general, forensic anthropology is the study of human skeletal remains for the purpose of assisting law enforcement authorities in the retrieval of human remains, identifying unidentified human remains, interpreting trauma, and calculating time since death.

To comprehend the scope and foundation of forensic anthropology, the word needs further clarification. All by itself, anthropology is the study of man. Cultural anthropologists, linguistic anthropologists, archaeologists who study the tangible evidence of human occupancy, such as artefacts and human bones, are all interested in anthropology (physical anthropologists).

The media frequently portrays forensic anthropologists as forensic scientists or crime scene technicians, although this is untrue.

Importance of Forensic Anthropology

Physical anthropologists have created techniques to analyse bones in order to comprehend humans who lived in the past throughout the past century. These inquiries might be: Was this person a woman or a man? When they passed away, how old were they? What was their height? Was the general health of the population good or bad?

Uses of Forensic Anthropology

These similar techniques are used in forensic anthropology to analyse contemporary cases of unidentified human remains. A forensic anthropologist can help law enforcement create a profile of the unidentified remains using the accepted techniques. The profile includes information on sex, age, ancestry, height, time since death, and occasionally an assessment of any injuries seen on the bones.

The forensic anthropologist is frequently called upon to testify in court regarding the identity of the remains and/or any trauma or wounds found on the remains after an individual’s identity has been established.^[2]

A forensic anthropologist is able to read skeletal evidence just like you would read a book. They can use the same methods to respond to inquiries about skeletons from any era, whether they are recent or ancient, in criminal cases. The growth and development stages of the bones and teeth reveal if the remains belong to a child or an adult. The best indication of a person’s sex comes from their pelvic bone structure. Bone abnormalities in terms of size, form, or density may be a sign of disease or trauma. The cause of death can be determined by the bones that have perimortem injuries such unhealed fractures, bullet holes, or slashes. The skilled anthropologist can also spot skeletal ancestry indicators. Even specific habits, diets, and lifestyle choices can be seen in bones and teeth.

Different Techniques used in Forensic Anthropology

Numerous methods are employed by anthropologists to examine human remains and document their findings. For instance, the bones are frequently X-rayed and photographed. High-powered microscopes or CT scanning may be used to analyse some remnants. These methods offer a visual record and extensive information about the remains without changing them. Identity may be established by DNA analysis. However, mitochondrial DNA in bones and teeth can be used to confirm links of ancient remains with deceased or current descendants. This form of testing is most frequently used in contemporary forensic case work. Other chemical analyses, such as those involving isotopes, can reveal details about a person’s diet and the age of their bones.

To make inferences about the deceased person, the information acquired is examined and merged. Images of the skull may be placed on images of missing people in a contemporary case to check for similarities between the skeletal and fleshly forms. Even in circumstances when there are no photographs, the face can be recreated using the underlying bone structure and accepted norms for the thickness of facial tissue.^[3]

Conclusion

Two distinct, specialised areas of forensic science—forensic anthropology and forensic entomology—assist law enforcement authorities in examining the most terrible of all crimes—unknown fatalities. In these two disciplines, dead human bodies are thoroughly examined scientifically.

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References:

[1] Gail S. Anderson, Forensic Entomology: The Use of Insects in Death Investigations (Jul. 18, 2022, 5:20 PM), https://www.sfu.ca/~ganderso/forensicentomology.htm#_ftn1

[2] What is Forensic Anthropology? , Forensic Anthropology Center (Jul. 18, 2022, 7:15 PM), https://fac.utk.edu/what-is-forensic-anthropology-2/

[3] What Do Forensic Anthropologists and Detectives Have in Common? , Forensic Anthropology (Jul. 18, 2022, 8:40 PM) https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/teaching-resources/social-studies/forensic-anthropology#:~:text=Forensic%20anthropology%20is%20a%20special,archaeology%20to%20solving%20criminal%20cases