Forensic Entomology

Catalog description

This introductory course in forensic entomology will familiarize the student with the identification, recovery, and analysis of various insects associated with forensic investigations. The student will learn how to identify and understand the life cycles, morphology, and behavior of flies and beetles commonly associated with medicolegal death investigations. General entomology and insect morphology, recovery methods, and evidence collection will be discussed. Additional topics include insect succession, processing and identifications of insects, techniques for the estimation of the postmortem interval, entomotoxicology, patterns of decomposition, and environmental considerations.