"Forensic entomology is the scientific study of the colonization of a dead body by arthropods."
The study of insects and their behavior as it relates to criminal investigations.
"This includes the study of insect types commonly associated with cadavers, their respective life cycles, their ecological presences in a given environment, as well as the changes in insect assemblage with the progression of decomposition."
"Insect succession patterns are identified based on the time a given species of insect spends in a given developmental stage, and how many generations have been produced since the insects' introduction to a given food source."
"Insect development alongside environmental data such as temperature and vapor density can be used to estimate the time since death."
"Flying insects are attracted to a body immediately after death."
"The identification of postmortem interval to aid in death investigations is the primary scope of this scientific field."
"Forensic entomology is not limited to homicides, it has also been used in cases of neglect and abuse, in toxicology contexts to detect the presence of drugs, and in dry shelf food contamination incidents."
"Insect assemblages present on a body can be used to approximate a given location, as certain insects may be unique to certain areas."
"Therefore, forensic entomology can be divided into three subfields: urban, stored-product, and medico-legal/medico-criminal entomology."
"Urban entomology focuses on insects commonly found in urban environments and their interactions with dead bodies."
"Stored-product entomology is relevant in cases involving contamination or tampering with food products."
"Medico-legal/medico-criminal entomology specializes in the analysis of insects in forensic cases, aiding in determining cause and time of death."
"The study of insect types commonly associated with cadavers" involves understanding their characteristics and behaviors.
"Changes in insect assemblage occur with the progression of decomposition."
"Insect succession patterns are identified based on... how many generations have been produced since the insects' introduction to a given food source."
"... environmental data such as temperature and vapor density can be used to estimate the time since death."
"Forensic entomology has been used in toxicology contexts to detect the presence of drugs."
"Forensic entomology has also been used in cases of neglect and abuse."
"Certain insects may be unique to certain areas."
"Medico-legal/medico-criminal entomology specializes in the analysis of insects in forensic cases, aiding in determining cause and time of death."