FRS 327 Forensic Entomology
FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY (3). This course provides an introduction to the field of forensic entomology; the use of insects in legal investigations. We will investigate how insects can be used in food contamination, neglect and abuse cases, with a focus on their use in death investigations. You will learn how to identify forensically important insects, in partnership with proper collection and rearing techniques. Along with understanding insect biology, the overall goal of this course if to gain an understanding of how forensic entomology is utilized in law and in the courtroom. You will take an in depth look what questions insects can help answer and determine how to calculate a time of colonization (TOC) and how that can relate back to a time of death. Scientific writing skills will also be a focus of this course. These skills will be assessed with the completion of a mock crime scene and production of a case report. The course will also emphasize basic arthropod biology, ecological, and insect developmental concepts.