ForensicSpot9 modules

Forensic Entomology

Insects in death investigation: decomposition and succession, postmortem interval estimation, collection and rearing, entomotoxicology, molecular ID, and testimony.

54hours
28topics
9modules

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Module 16 hrs3 topics

Foundations

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What forensic entomology answers, its history and landmark cases, and its three branches: medicolegal, urban and stored-product.

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Introduction and Scope of Forensic EntomologyForensic entomology uses insects and other arthropods as evidence in legal investigations, with its most powerful application being the estimation of the postmortem interval. This topic covers what the discipline answers, how it fits inside death investigation, and why it is practiced globally.13 min13 min
History of Forensic Entomology and Landmark CasesFrom Song Ci's 1247 fly experiment in China to the 20th-century laboratory revival, forensic entomology has a documented history spanning eight centuries of real cases. This topic traces that history through the scientists and investigations that shaped the discipline.14 min14 min
The Three Branches: Medicolegal, Urban, Stored-ProductForensic entomology divides into three branches: medicolegal (death investigation and PMI), urban (structural damage, neglect, living-person infestations), and stored-product (food contamination and commerce law). This topic covers what each branch does, what legal questions it answers, and how the branches differ in method and application.13 min13 min

Module 26 hrs3 topics

Insects of forensic importance

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Insect biology and taxonomy for the entomologist, the flies that arrive first, and the beetles and other insects of the later waves.

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Module 36 hrs3 topics

Decomposition and succession

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The cadaver as a changing habitat, the predictable succession of colonisers, and the blow fly life cycle from egg to adult.

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Module 46 hrs5 topics

Postmortem interval estimation

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The principles of PMI, the thermal-summation model and degree days, larval-age diagrams, the successional method, and the sources of error.

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Module 56 hrs4 topics

Collection and rearing

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Collecting entomological evidence at the scene and at autopsy, preservation and chain of custody, and rearing immatures to an identifiable adult.

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Module 66 hrs2 topics

Entomotoxicology

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Detecting drugs and poisons in carrion insects, how they alter development, and using insects as alternate samples for toxicology and DNA.

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Module 76 hrs3 topics

Specialised sub-fields

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Aquatic entomology and submerged remains, urban entomology and neglect, and stored-product entomology and food contamination.

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Module 86 hrs2 topics

Molecular entomology

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DNA barcoding for species identification, and using insect population genetics to infer geographic origin and body movement.

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Module 96 hrs3 topics

Casework, court and quality

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How a case is worked end to end, presenting PMI ranges as an expert witness, and the standards, error rates and quality that underpin the field.

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Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Entomology