Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology - Novel Arthropods, Environments and Geographical Regions

Forensic Entomology deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medico legal investigations. We are sure that many people know this or a similar definition, maybe even already read a scientific or popular book dealing with this topic. So, do we really need another book on Forensic Entomology? The answer is 13, 29, 31, 38, and 61. These are not some golden bingo numbers, but an excerpt of the increasing amount of annual publications in the current decade dealing with Forensic Entomology. Comparing them with 89 articles which were published d- ing the 1990s it illustrates the growing interest in this very special intersection of Forensic Science and Entomology and clearly underlines the statement: Yes, we need this book because Forensic Entomology is on the move with so many new things happening every year. One of the most attractive features of Forensic Entomology is that it is multid- ciplinary. There is almost no branch in natural science which cannot find its field of activity here. The chapters included in this book highlight this variety of researches and would like to give the impetus for future work, improving the dev- opment of Forensic Entomology, which is clearly needed by the scientific com- nity. On its way to the courtrooms of the world this discipline needs a sound and serious scientific background to receive the acceptance it deserves.

List of contents

Early Postmortem Changes and Stages of Decomposition.- Keys for Identification of Immature Insects.- Key for the Identification of Third Instars of European Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Importance.- The Utility of Coleoptera in Forensic Investigations.- Phoretic Mites and Carcasses: Acari Transported by Organisms Associated with Animal and Human Decomposition.- Indoor Arthropods of Forensic Importance: Insects Associated with Indoor Decomposition and Mites as Indoor Markers.- Contemporary Precision, Bias and Accuracy of Minimum Post-Mortem Intervals Estimated Using Development of Carrion-Feeding Insects.- Analysing Forensic Entomology Data Using Additive Mixed Effects Modelling.- Toxicology and Forensic Entomology.- Cuticular Hydrocarbons: A New Tool in Forensic Entomology?.- Exploiting Insect Olfaction in Forensic Entomology.- Decomposition and Invertebrate Colonization of Cadavers in Coastal Marine Environments.- The Insects Colonisation of Buried Remains.- Forensic Implications of Myiasis.- Climate Change and Forensic Entomology.- Future Trends in Forensic Entomology.

Summary

Forensic Entomology deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medico legal investigations. We are sure that many people know this or a similar definition, maybe even already read a scientific or popular book dealing with this topic. So, do we really need another book on Forensic Entomology? The answer is 13, 29, 31, 38, and 61. These are not some golden bingo numbers, but an excerpt of the increasing amount of annual publications in the current decade dealing with Forensic Entomology. Comparing them with 89 articles which were published d- ing the 1990s it illustrates the growing interest in this very special intersection of Forensic Science and Entomology and clearly underlines the statement: Yes, we need this book because Forensic Entomology is on the move with so many new things happening every year. One of the most attractive features of Forensic Entomology is that it is multid- ciplinary. There is almost no branch in natural science which cannot find its field of activity here. The chapters included in this book highlight this variety of researches and would like to give the impetus for future work, improving the dev- opment of Forensic Entomology, which is clearly needed by the scientific com- nity. On its way to the courtrooms of the world this discipline needs a sound and serious scientific background to receive the acceptance it deserves.

Additional text

From the reviews:
“The major attraction of this book is its coverage of a wide diversity of subjects related to forensic entomology. This field deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medicolegal investigations. … The work provides detailed information regarding the role of beetles and mites in determining PMI. … The topics covered in this reference are most suitable for active practitioners and researchers in forensic entomology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate through professional collections.” (R. Saferstein, Choice, Vol. 48 (2), October, 2010)
“It is a multidisciplinary view of forensic entomology, primarily aimed at young scientists and lay readers. … As is the case for most multidisciplinary projects, the chapters of this book were written by different authors. … As expected, the different chapters meet the expectations of readers in different ways. … this book is a good, comprehensive acquisition for the general reader.” (E. G. P. Fox, European Journal of Entomology, Vol. 108, 2011)

Report

From the reviews:
"The major attraction of this book is its coverage of a wide diversity of subjects related to forensic entomology. This field deals with the use of insects and other arthropods in medicolegal investigations. ... The work provides detailed information regarding the role of beetles and mites in determining PMI. ... The topics covered in this reference are most suitable for active practitioners and researchers in forensic entomology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate through professional collections." (R. Saferstein, Choice, Vol. 48 (2), October, 2010)
"It is a multidisciplinary view of forensic entomology, primarily aimed at young scientists and lay readers. ... As is the case for most multidisciplinary projects, the chapters of this book were written by different authors. ... As expected, the different chapters meet the expectations of readers in different ways. ... this book is a good, comprehensive acquisition for the general reader." (E. G. P. Fox, European Journal of Entomology, Vol. 108, 2011)

Product details

• Assisted by: Jens Amendt (Editor), Carlo P. Campobasso (Editor), M. Lee Goff (Editor), M.Lee Goff (Editor), Martin Grassberger (Editor), Lee Goff (Editor), M Lee Goff (Editor), Carlo P Campobasso et al (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 16.03.2010
• EAN: 9781402096839
• ISBN: 978-1-4020-9683-9
• No. of pages: 376
• Dimensions: 161 mm x 20 mm x 244 mm
• Weight: 818 g
• Illustrations: VIII, 376 p.
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Zoology; B, Life Sciences, Forensic Science, Life sciences: general issues, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Forensic Medicine, Zoology, Life Sciences, general, Entomology, Medical jurisprudence