This represents one of several sections of "A Bibliography Related to Crime Scene Interpretation with Emphases in Geotaphonomic and Forensic Archaeological Field Techniques, Nineteenth Edition" (The complete bibliography is also included at ResearchGate.net.). This is the most recent edition of a bibliography containing resources for multiple areas of crime scene, and particularly outdoor crime scene, investigations. It replaces the prior edition and contains approximately 10,000 additional citations. As an ongoing project, additional references, as encountered, will be added to future editions.
The collection and analyses of insects, or invertebrates, from crime scenes is generally well known among homicide investigators and death scene investigators. It has been the compiler’s experience, however, that the actual practice of such collection, outside the presence of a forensic entomologist, is still overlooked or avoided. Often, an attitude prevails that that level of information is not necessary given the investigator’s knowledge of when an abduction took place, or a subject’s confession. In other situations, collections are not made simply because the investigators are not properly equipped with tools, chemicals, and packaging materials to collect and kill samples, or are not sure of what to do with, or how to store, live specimens. Entomological evidence is unique in that it is, in most criminal investigations, the only type of non-human evidence consisting of living, moving species. It is the hope of the compiler that this section will offer some answers toward appropriate collection procedures and equipment which are not expensive, do not involve a lot of time, or the need for additional manpower. The proper collection of entomological samples combined with accurate spatial, temporal, and environmental data, can yield valuable information toward determining postmortem intervals (Taphonomy - Decomposition and Time Since Death). Subject/Witness statements might be supported or disproved. Works such as Catts and Haskell (1990), and Lord and Burger (1983) have become standards in the field of forensic entomological procedures. In recent years compilations such as that by Byrd and Castner (2010) have demonstrated the increasing interest in forensic applications of a science which otherwise serves advancements in health and agriculture. Amendt, et al. (2007) offer "Standards and Guidelines" for this field of study. Entomology, as a means of determining post-mortem interval, continues to be scrutinized. This is not a bad thing. Any validation, clarification, or revocation of a forensic technique benefit crime scene interpretation.
Many of the works below include laboratory analyses and research. That research goes beyond addressing the timing of a death or deposition (post-mortem interval) to toxicological determinations, interpretations of death scene versus depositional environments, et cetera. Like virtually every category in this bibliography, the study of entomology is contingent upon so many factors at a scene that an understanding of other disciplines is a neccessity. Obviously, taphonomy and pathology are directly related to insect activity on discovered remains. Environmental characteristics such as soils and plants, as well as body position either by accident or intentional, could influence the impact of insects in peri- and post-mortem activity. Again, the reader is refered to other categories such as Taphonomy, Geoarchaeology and Soil Science, and Criminal and Cultural Behavior. (2552 citations)