Test Your Knowledge of Forensic Science and Its Role in Solving Homicides

Using Insects and Soil Science to Solve Homicides

• Police departments around the world work on solving murder and manslaughter cases, but many unreported cases go undetected.

• Scientists and police investigators are developing new methods, including forensic entomology and soil forensics, to solve more cases.

• Forensic entomologists like Jens Amend research cadaver colonization by insects to determine time of death and other details.

• The Institute for Forensic Medicine at Frankfurt University has been investigating unexplained deaths since 1927, and Jens Amend established one of four special departments for forensic entomology in Germany.

• In Boston, Robin Cotton, an experienced forensic scientist, has testified as an expert witness in over 200 trials and recognizes the usefulness of insects in criminal cases.

• Insect colonization of a corpse is the best method for determining how long a body has been lying at a crime scene.

• Insects can also be helpful in determining the cause of death and even the murder weapon.

• Soil science combined with entomology is being used to convict more murderers, and Lorna Dawson, a professor at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, has been doing research in soil forensics for over 30 years.

• The national soil archives of Scotland have been located in the basement of the James Hutton Institute since 1934, containing over 4.8 tons of soil samples from 13,000 different locations in the country.

• Soil forensics analyze multiple samples of the same case, and the characteristics of those samples can be compared to an unknown sample recovered from a crime scene.

• In Glasgow, police investigators secured video material from surveillance cameras and identified a suspect in the murder of a 24-year-old student Karen B, whose body was found on a farm field outside of Glasgow.

• Insect and soil forensics, along with other forensic methods, have helped police departments achieve a 100% detection rate for homicides in Scotland.The Role of Forensic Science in Solving Murders

• Forensic evidence, including soil and entomology analysis, is a crucial and integral element in solving murder cases.

• The examination of a potential burial site can provide vital clues in a murder investigation.

• Accurate scientific findings, such as the identification of insect species, can help find witnesses and leads from the general public.

• Forensic entomology, the study of insects in relation to criminal investigations, is a young scientific discipline that requires appropriate experience to interpret evidence.

• Mistakes can happen in handling DNA material, leading to contamination and incorrect expert testimony.

• In the 19th century, scientists such as Hermann Reinhardt and Jean-Pierre Menaul laid the foundation for forensic entomology, developing theories on insect colonization and decomposition.

• Modern research focuses on improving the quality of findings through the study of living research subjects.

• Soil analysis, including the comparison of soil samples, can identify a location by its underlying geology and vegetation, as well as the DNA within the soil.

• The EU-sponsored mySAFE project aims to continuously improve methods of comparative soil analysis and develop a Europe-wide soil DNA database.

• The detection rate of violent crimes is increasing thanks to advancements in forensic science, but criminals may adapt to investigative methods, making it harder for investigators to stay ahead.

• The evidence in cold cases can be stored for many decades and can be re-examined with improved methods.

• Forensic science is an important tool in giving closure to families of murder victims and bringing criminals to justice.Forensic Entomology: How Insects Help Solve Crimes

• Insects, particularly flies, are reliable investigative assistants to the police force as they fly to cadavers to lay their eggs and can help determine the time of death.

• Forensic entomology is an emerging field in Germany, and there is a need for closer collaboration between police investigators and scientists to promote and realize larger research projects on decomposition.

• Communication is a key issue in improving collaboration between investigators and scientists, where police need to explain their needs to scientists and vice versa.

• Investigators need to be careful about sharing too much information about the case with the person examining the evidence to avoid potential bias.

• Pig cadavers are used to study the development of larvae on corpses and are examined using methods that are becoming more sophisticated.

• Jens Amend, a forensic entomologist, is analyzing the isotope patterns of insects to determine the post-mortem interval and the circumstances of the crime itself.

• Forensic entomology gained attention in Germany in the late 90s when an ant was used as evidence in the Pastor Geyer case, leading to a conviction for murder.

• Today, German police routinely consult forensic researchers for advice when determining the time of death of a body.

• Insect analysis can narrow the post-mortem interval down to a few days and help match suspect statements to the determined time of death.

• Other research branches of forensics, such as soil analysis and DNA phenotyping, are gaining traction and could make the perfect crime virtually impossible.

• The personal motivation for scientists like Jens Amend is the fascination of entering uncharted territory in basic research and the practical application of producing data that can be immediately applied to solve crimes.

• In the future, forensic entomology and other forensic research branches could continue to make significant contributions to solving crimes and making life for criminals even harder.