Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #309129 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
In this text on forensic entomology, the author examines the way in which this profession is practised, based on his own study of the life-histories of Diptera - especially blowflies.The author cites many high-profile cases, some of them notorious crimes, from the present day and from the past. Two murders of the last century are written about at length and the author also includes many cases in which he was personally involved, including one dating from November, 1862 in which two children went for a walk in some woods and were never seen alive again. An inquest concluding that their deaths were produced by "cold, accelerated by moisture in the form of sleet and rain". Erzinclioglu was able to advise that no British fly species know to breed in carrion could lay eggs in such temperatures; revealing that the children must have been abducted and killed, and their bodies later left in the woods.

The author also expresses his concern about how forensic evidence is given in court, suggesting that, now The Forensic Science Service is an executive agency of the Home Office - paid for on an item service basis - it may be used less frequently, or inferior advice sought because it is cheaper. He argues for a system whereby a judge can commission accredited scientists drawn from a panel, bringing our justice system in line with that of France.

Customer Reviews

Murder, Madness and Mayhem
Who would have thought a few maggots could reveal so much, where the body was when the deceased died, when the deceased died, possibly how the wound came about, if it was an accidental death or murder - Just so much for so little. A top notch book that every police officer in the world should possess. I am a true crime writer and publisher and already the book has been of tremendous help.

Easy to Read and Interesting Book of Bugs!
I became aware of the entomologist's role in forensic science because of the tv programme CSI, and I really expected this book to be very technical and hard to read. It was far from it! Not only does it describe the different types of insect life that feed off a body, but it also gives example cases to show how to apply the science to fact. It was the first book I came across that did not focus on crimes within the US because the insect life in the UK is slightly different.