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Forensic Entomology: A "Dead" Giveaway
Still unsure about the value of insects? Read on to find how insects
can help solve a mystery. Then, if you are feeling brave get the nitty gritty
from forensic entomologist James Clery and why the police are calling on people
like him to assist in their criminal investigations.
How bugs catch our killers
 The courts have acknowledged forensic evidence for the first time in South African legal history. In a recent crime investigation, Forensic Entomologists are given new insight for future crime investigations.
Dr Mervin Mansell, an entomologist at the Plant Protection unit of Pretoria, examined the corpse of an eight-year old girl who had been found murdered in a veld. He identified the dominant insect found on the corpse to be a winter blowfly and was able to determine the post-mortem interval, the PMI.
The life-cycle of this species of blowfly only lasts eight weeks. He could then determine from the date of discovery that the grade two pupil
had been lying in the veld near the family's home for eight weeks. The neighbour's son who had been asked to take care of Cindy, mysteriously went missing after this time. The entomological evidence aided in his 31 year prison sentence for abduction, and murder of the little girl. Dr Martin Villet agrees that Forensic Entomology is a controversial and sensitive issue. Forensic Entomology is a growing field and Villet's research group is actively improving on research in this field. One of Villet's MSc students, Angela Brownes, has developed a computer programme called Identifly, which may prove to be a
significant breakthrough in Forensic Entomology. Identifly is a software package that presents the user with symbolic interactive keys that enable the identification of certain morphological
characteristics of the insect. Various illustrations accompany the keys to make the programme user-friendly. On discovering a corpse, the species of insect discovered is analysed by comparing certain characteristics with its complimentary keys. By
identifying the insect's life-history, the researcher is able to determine its growth rate, the survival conditions and the duration the insect has been present on the corpse. This encourages increased accuracy and pace in the criminal investigation.
by Darren Jay-Hart
For a more in-depth look at forensic entomology, go to the full
article by Forensic Entomologist, James Clery. Warning: some readers may
find the contents and pictures disturbing. 
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