Insect Evidence

Basic Collection Procedures at the Death Scene

Investigators recover a decomposing body in a wooded area that has fly and insect activity on and surrounding the body. Investigators what to know -not only who the deceased was but how long he/she has been dead. To help answer these questions we must turn to the insects for answers. Law enforcement agencies are learning that insect evidence is an important tool in our forensic tool box. Just what can insects tell us about a crime scene? Knowing how to collect, photograph, document and preserve this evidence is critical for any successful outcome. This book is intended for crime scene technicians, death investigators, medical examiners and other forensic personnal to become aquainted with our often overlooked and forgotten evidence at the death scene-INSECTS.