Forensic Entomology - Busted By Bugs Quiz

Answer: Song Ci

Song Ci worked as a forensic expert and a presiding judge in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). His book, "Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified" has been translated from Chinese into many languages including German, English and French.

Answer: All of these

Dr. Robert D. Hall, forensic entomologist, states that "if you ask insects the right question, they give an honest answer". Insect evidence can estimate time of death and can also be used to determine whether the victim was killed in the same place he was discovered. Insects colonizing unclean areas or sores on the elderly can determine neglect.

Answer: Medicolegal, urban, and stored product pests

The medicolegal area focuses on corpse-feeding insects. The urban area looks at insects affecting men (both living and dead) as well as man's environment. Stored product pests are those varmints found in food, and the entomologist can be called as a witness in criminal cases dealing with this issue.

Answer: Flies

The blow flies and the flesh flies are usually the first to appear as they prefer a moist corpse to a dry one. The females will lay their eggs or deposit larvae around the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, or any open wounds. The life cycle of these insects aid in estimating the PMI (post mortem interval), or time since death.

Answer: The feces from a fly that has fed on blood

Roaches, flies, and fleas can track spilled blood all over a crime scene. Flies will feed on the blood, digest it, and often regurgitate it.

Answer: Yes - to determine insect species and/or human DNA from victim or suspect if the insect fed on the individual

The human DNA found in an insect's intestines can match a corpse to a missing person, or, if an insect has fed on both victim and suspect, the DNA can create a link between those two individuals

Answer: True

Weather conditions will impact size and development of insect eggs or larvae. A forensic entomologist will have to study insect evidence in conjunction with weather conditions.

Answer: Successional waves of insects

Depending on geographic location, a human corpse progresses through identified stages of decomposition and skeletonization. Different stages will attract different insects. By examining what insects or insect casings are present, an approximate time since death can be put forth.

Answer: False

If a wound is present, maggot activity will cluster around that site first. Then the activity will move to the body's orifices.

Answer: Hide beetles

The hide beetle relishes the dried skin, tendons, and bones left on a corpse when the flies are finished with it. These beetles possess special enzymes which enable them to break down the protein components of hair, nails, and the outer skin layer.