Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Forensic Biology
Are Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Active Nocturnally In South Georgia?, Breana R. Manning
Are Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Active Nocturnally In South Georgia?, Breana R. Manning
Honors College Theses
Medicolegal forensic entomology uses insect colonization of remains to estimate minimum post-mortem intervals (mPMI). Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the earliest colonizers, yet their nocturnal activity remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether blow flies are active at night and whether artificial light influences their behavior. Using baited bottle traps in both artificially lit and unlit environments near Georgia Southern University, flies were collected over two trials in fall 2024. Of the 1,843 blow flies collected, only six were captured at night (0.003%), suggesting minimal nocturnal activity. Lucilia coeruleiviridis preferred unlit environments. In contrast, Cochliomyia macellaria was …
Investigating Concealments In Infanticide: Incidents And Forensic Entomological Implications, Gillian L. Johnson
Investigating Concealments In Infanticide: Incidents And Forensic Entomological Implications, Gillian L. Johnson
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Forensic entomology plays a critical role in estimating the minimum postmortem interval (mPMIs), based on insect evidence. When victims are concealed, this can complicate mPMI estimates. Utilizing data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2018 to 2021, I found that victims of infanticides and neonaticides are often concealed. I first investigated the demographics of offenders and victims, how often victims are concealed, and the most common means of concealment. I found that victims of infanticide were likely to be concealed 5% of the time, and neonaticides 50% of the time. Next, I investigated how concealment alters insect …