Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations

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Book Reviews of Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations

Book Review: Missing a "key" point...
Summary: 3 Stars

For a book of this nature one would expect to be able to identify insects of forensic importance. The numerous color photos are nice to look at, but in most cases do not allow species determination at the adult level (don't even bother asking about immature idenitification!). Short species accounts are given, but much more valuable would have been the inclusion of keys (as in K. Smith's treatment of the European forensic fauna). Unfortunately this means that you have to buy another text in order to identify any specimens that you collect. You will likely have to go the Manual of Nearctic Diptera in order to identify genera of Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Phorids...

In summary, even if you buy this book you'll still need to consult a forensic entomologist and as such, I'd recommend dropping the words "Forensic Entomology" from the title. This book is written for those who do not have formal training in entomology or even a science background (i.e. arthropod, botantist, and invertebrate are all defined in the glossary).

For the authors I would highly recommend adding keys in order to increase the value of this work. Please, for the entomologists' sake place them in an appendix, but do include them. Another suggestion would be to expand the taxa covered in Table 9.1 (insect development times) and move it to the appendix. Thanks!

Summary of Forensic Entomology: The Utility of Arthropods in Legal Investigations

General Books

• Law > Criminal Law
• General
• Medicine > Specialties > Pathology > Forensic Medicine
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• Nonfiction > Crime & Criminals > Forensic Science
• Professional & Technical > Law > Criminal Law > General
• Medical > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Pathology > Forensic Medicine
• Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Entomology
• Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Insects & Spiders
• Biology > Entomology
• Zoology > General