What is forensic entomology?
 Forensic entomology is the study of insects used in investigations in civil and criminal law cases. Homicide investigations usually get the most attention but product liability cases are important as well.
Forensic entomology in homicide investigations
Certain species of flies are strongly attracted to the odor of decomposing human and animal tissue. In a typical case fly eggs are laid on a dead body and the resulting larvae, or maggots, utilize and further breakdown the dead tissue. The sequence of events from egg deposition to complete fly development is temperature dependent and highly predictable for a given geographical area.
A forensic entomologist uses the evidence of this developmental sequence to work backward to deduce the time since death, or post-mortem interval. This is the essence of forensic entomology -- using the developmental sequence of insects, usually flies, to deduce when death occurred and hence who might be responsible.
Law enforcement has started to use entomological evidence in crime scene investigations to a greater extent in recent years. There is a real demand for trained forensic entomologists. Unfortunately, very few formal university programs exist in this area. Many forensic entomologists train first in medical entomology then specialize in forensic entomology. For additional information see the American Board of Forensic Entomology website.
Additional Keywords: entomology, death, maggots, blow flies, post-mortem interval, medicocriminal, CSI, crime scene investigation
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