top of page

Entomology

Forensic entomology uses insects collected from a deceased body and its location to give information about when these insects colonised the body, and therefore an estimation of the minimum time since death.

Image by Margaret Jaszowska

Insects can also be used to provide information on whether a body has been relocated after death and if there was a period of neglect before death. In more specialised applications, it is possible to tell if there are controlled substances or pharmaceuticals in the body of the deceased, and to confirm identification of the victim through DNA analysis using undigested material in the insect's gut.

bottom of page