Through the science of forensic entomology, arthropods have been shown to be a useful in estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMI).Because insects ...
Case Study: Forensic Palynology and Entomology helping to Identify Crime Location and Time of Death Salman Shayya (1-3), Calil Makhoul (4), Mohammad Al-Zayed (2), Dany Azar(2) 1. Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB-UMR 7205-CNRS,MNHN,UPMC, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, 57 rue Cuvier, CP50, Entomologie F-75005, Paris, France. 2. Lebanese University, Faculty of Science II, Department of Natural Sciences, P.O. Box:26110217, FanarMatn, Lebanon. 3. Doctorate School of Science and Technology, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Hadath, Lebanon, CNRS-Lebanon and the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission. 4. CEF- Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology ,Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
Through the science of forensic entomology, arthropods have been shown to be a useful in estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMI).Because insects are attracted by specific states of decay, particular species colonize a corpse for a limited period of time producing a faunal succession on cadavers. However, it is possible to obtain further information from the crime through botany. Plants which inhabit a restricted area and finding their pollen on a corpse in a different area can prove that the body was moved after death. Here is one interesting case of a decomposed, decapitated body which is reported to show that a wide range of applications for medicolegal questions can be answered by the use of forensic botany and entomology techniques. It includes close observation of larval development and endemic plant species. Also, forensic imaging plus cultural and religious practices can be a useful tool to help on the characterization and resolution of legal cases narrowing even more the error in calculating minimum PMI. Together with the impressive possibilities of estimation of minimum PMI, the steadily increasing use entomology and botany in solving legal cases in Lebanon as well as the successful research and casework may encourage further forensic investigators interest in these effective and well-established worldwide techniques. Key-words: Insects; Arthropods; Pollen; Lebanon; postmortem interval
