Entomotoxicology-A Juvenile Branch of Forensic Entomological Studies

Abstract

Entomotoxicology is a relatively new branch of Forensic Entomology. Insect and other arthropods are valuable evidence in death investigation. In addition to their use in detecting drugs and other toxins in decomposing tissue it has been widely demonstrated in death investigation if the distribution, biology, ecology and behavior of insects found at the crime scene are known, it can provide information like when, where and how the crime was committed. The life cycle and the internal composition of the insects uncover a great deal of realities about the crime scene. Entomotoxicology is the analysis of toxins in arthropods that feast upon carcass. In arthropods mainly fly and beetles are considered. Forensic Entomotoxicology studies the usefulness of insects as an alternative toxicological sample. A use of the insects is found over the corpse that is decayed or blood, urine or internal organs are no longer available for testing of toxins. The accuracy of entomological estimates in deaths involving narcotic intoxication has been subject to debate in recent years. Couple of accessible research have demonstrated the impacts of medication contained in disintegrating tissue of life cycle, fly colonization, ovipositional behaviors or in rates of their development in insect feeding on such food sources. These progressions are advantageous as they demonstrate that such body contains lethal substances that may be the reason for death, time since death, development of the remaining parts since death and the anti mortem wounds. Hence, insects play a vital role in crime scene investigation. However, several remarks on the limitations of entomotoxicology have been highlighted recently. In this paper, the implications for the practice of this forensic procedure are fully reviewed.