Huitson, Niki

Larvae of Diptera are used routinely in forensic entomology to estimate accurately the post mortem interval. These applications require a detailed understanding of insect growth rates and insect succession profiles under different climactic conditions and geographical locations. There may be times when larvae may have been removed from a single food source or the corpse has been moved from one location to another, confounding the interpretation of the entomological data. We report here a study that evaluates the time period during which a food source can be detected in larvae of Protophormia terraenovae. We could detect the food source (pork or chicken liver) that larvae had ingested from early second instar to late third instar larvae. No detection was possible in pupae or adults. When larvae were transferred from one food source to another, the primary source was detectable for only 8–12 hours after transfer, whereas it was detectable for 12 hours in starved larvae. In most studies that use insects to estimate PMI, investigators collect larvae directly from the corpse. In cases where there have been significant disturbances, investigators must understand the changes in insect dieting and development that may take place.

Television crime dramas such as “CSI: Miami“, “NYPD Blue”, and “Law and Order” have glamourized the careers of criminal justice personnel by shaping their job descriptions into ones which are exciting, highly eventful, and immediately rewarding. In addition, television advertisements from American career technical schools in the United States often inaccurately portray their students in criminology programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the amount of media consumed and subjects' perceptions of the study of criminology. Data were collected through an anonymous pencil and paper survey. Participants were randomly selected from 100-level criminology classes at the University College of the Fraser Valley (n=131). Results suggest that television and radio consumption are significantly related to inaccurate perceptions of the study of criminology. No other forms of media are shown to be related. Recommendations for future research include a focus on marketing criminology programs and studies examining students of all ages. The implications for post-secondary criminology programs are discussed.

Larvae of Diptera are used routinely in forensic entomology to estimate accurately the post mortem interval. These applications require a detailed understanding of insect growth rates and insect succession profiles under different climactic conditions and geographical locations. There may be times when larvae may have been removed from a single food source or the corpse has been moved from one location to another, confounding the interpretation of the entomological data. We report here a study that evaluates the time period during which a food source can be detected in larvae of Protophormia terraenovae. We could detect the food source (pork or chicken liver) that larvae had ingested from early second instar to late third instar larvae. No detection was possible in pupae or adults. When larvae were transferred from one food source to another, the primary source was detectable for only 8–12 hours after transfer, whereas it was detectable for 12 hours in starved larvae. In most studies that use insects to estimate PMI, investigators collect larvae directly from the corpse. In cases where there have been significant disturbances, investigators must understand the changes in insect dieting and development that may take place.