Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology

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.

All authors are top experts in their field

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.