Applications of Medico-legal Entomology: Using insects for Forensic and Environmental Investigations
Start Date
16-10-2023 3:45 PM
End Date
16-10-2023 5:00 PM
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Forensic entomology is the application of entomology (the study of insects and arthropods) to forensic investigations. Medico-legal entomology focuses on those groups of insects that are attracted to decomposing organic matter. Dr. Gemmellaro’s work is mainly focused on medico-legal entomology. Once a dead body is exposed to the elements, insects will shortly locate the body and will colonize it by laying eggs on it; one of the major groups of colonizers is the true fly family of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Blow fly females need a decomposing body to lay their eggs; the eggs will hatch into maggots and the maggots will start feeding on the body until its full consumption. Maggots will then migrate away to pupate and once the pupation stage is complete, an adult fly will emerge from the puparium and the cycle will repeat. The developmental time of their life cycle depends on the specific species as well as on temperature, humidity, drugs and xenobiotics and other biological, physical and environmental variables. Knowing about the development and the behavior of these flies can provide forensic investigators with useful information for their case; considering that these necrophagous insects are attracted to. and will consume dead animals and humans (even when a crime has not been committed), and considering that they will accumulate potential toxin and toxicants present in those corpses, these insects can also play a very significant role even in environmental investigations. This talk will describe the field of forensic entomology in general and will discuss the practice, the potential and the limits of the field; it will also present the results of some of the research conducted by Dr. Gemmellaro and illustrate their practical applications in real case investigations.
Biography
Dr. Denise Gemmellaro received her PhD in Entomology from Rutgers University, with a dissertation in Medico-Legal Forensic Entomology. She has been involved in the field of forensic entomology for several years, during which she has trained state police, FBI, pathologists, lawyers and other professionals in the field of forensics, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Gemmellaro’s research is focused on using insects of forensic importance to establish time of colonization, movement of the bodies and potential presence of illegal substances in the body. Dr. Gemmellaro is a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Entomology, and the current president of the European Society of Forensic Science (EUSFS).
Additional Links
ORCID
Applications of Medico-legal Entomology: Using insects for Forensic and Environmental Investigations
Forensic entomology is the application of entomology (the study of insects and arthropods) to forensic investigations. Medico-legal entomology focuses on those groups of insects that are attracted to decomposing organic matter. Dr. Gemmellaro’s work is mainly focused on medico-legal entomology. Once a dead body is exposed to the elements, insects will shortly locate the body and will colonize it by laying eggs on it; one of the major groups of colonizers is the true fly family of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Blow fly females need a decomposing body to lay their eggs; the eggs will hatch into maggots and the maggots will start feeding on the body until its full consumption. Maggots will then migrate away to pupate and once the pupation stage is complete, an adult fly will emerge from the puparium and the cycle will repeat. The developmental time of their life cycle depends on the specific species as well as on temperature, humidity, drugs and xenobiotics and other biological, physical and environmental variables. Knowing about the development and the behavior of these flies can provide forensic investigators with useful information for their case; considering that these necrophagous insects are attracted to. and will consume dead animals and humans (even when a crime has not been committed), and considering that they will accumulate potential toxin and toxicants present in those corpses, these insects can also play a very significant role even in environmental investigations. This talk will describe the field of forensic entomology in general and will discuss the practice, the potential and the limits of the field; it will also present the results of some of the research conducted by Dr. Gemmellaro and illustrate their practical applications in real case investigations.