Customer Reviews

Entomology and Death, a Procedural Guide

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Entomology & Death: A Procedural Guide edited by Neal H. Haskell and E. Paul Catts, is a compilation of information collected from well known experts in the field of forensic entomology. In addition to editing the text, several chapters were written by the editors. Their work as well as the other contributing writers' works is well written and organized and the manual is superbly illustrated with line drawings. The introductory chapter covers background information on terminology, definitions, and educational requirements for those who practice medicolegal or forensic entomology. Also, the manual contains historically significant entomological research that provides a foundation for applying its techniques to legal investigations. Concise case histories are used to illustrate how insects significantly contribute to criminal investigations. The manual describes some basic structural biology, metamorphic processes, habitats, and other environmental factors that affect the development of forensically important arthropods. There is an excellent discussion of blow fly development and how it may be used as a time of death indicator. In addition, entomological data analysis from evidence collected at the scene is discussed. Some information regarding death scene procedures, security and the treatment of evidence is covered as well. Proper collection techniques and preservation methods are discussed and also given is a detailed list of materials and equipment needed by the investigator. Useful reference information such as several formulas for mixing standard killing and preserving solutions are discussed. Also, presented are laboratory procedures for raising insect larvae. The manual concludes with some information on ethics, guidelines for testifying in court and a helpful glossary complete with numerous references cited. This manual is an exemplary text, and I would highly recommend it for police officers, crime scene technicians, investigators, medical examiners, and forensic scientist. Presently, published information on forensic entomology is extremely limited. This manual definitely fills a void in the field of forensic entomology.

This book is great! While this book is geared towards the real professional, such as a MD, ME, or Police investigator, (not me) this book is totally readable, interesting for the layperson or student of entomology. This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite entomological text!! While I am not normally morbid, this book brings out my morbid side - death & bugs can be fun and interesting!!!

If you are looking for books on forensic entomology, this is the book for you. Several of America's most well-known forensic entomologists has joined their efforts and produced this brilliant, one-of-its-kind book.

The only negative thing I have found is that the book is spiral-bound. My book is becoming rather well used, at this point, and some of the pages are rather loose.

Several drawings.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Medicocriminal entomology
Chapter 2 - Case histories of the use of insects in investigations
Chapter 3 - Arthropod basics - Structure and biology
Chapter 4 - Standard techniques and procedures at the death scene
Chapter 5 - Collection of entomological evidence at the death scene
Chapter 6 - Entomological collection techniques at autopsy and for specific environments
Chapter 7 - Procedures in the entomological laboratory
Chapter 8 - Analyzing entomological data
Chapter 9 - The paper trail: case records and reports
Chapter 10 - Being an expert witness: testimonial guidelines
Chapter 11 - Report/Witness ethics

Glossary of common terms in forensic entomology

References cited

Appendix

Index

This highly technical subject was approached in an easy to understand manner. The author did a decent job of explaining the proceedures for collecting entomoligical evidence. I understand the author was attempting to keep the cost of the work down by using illustrations, but photos would have been more helpful and would have made the guide more complete. It's otherwise something I'll refer to often and is certainly worth it's modest cost.

It took me a couple years to get this book since it was out of print and all. Glad I found it. Great guide and actually some very good reading. This book made me reconsider getting back into this field. Scraping maggots off the dead can be fun!

As said before, this book is one of the best all-around and in-depth reviews of this field.