UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- When we think about witnesses to a crime, insects generally don't come to mind, but today a growing number of criminal investigators rely upon them for important evidence. Publicized by television shows like "C.S.I.," the discipline of forensic entomology -- the use of insect evidence to solve crimes -- is gaining credibility in the courtroom and has contributed to several murder convictions in Pennsylvania.

Few police forces, however, can afford to hire an entomologist for their staff, so investigators must send specimens to experts. To teach them about the collection and use of insect evidence, Penn State's department of entomology is offering its 11th annual Forensic Entomology Workshop, May 21-23, at the University Park campus.

Lead by Dr. Ke Chung Kim, a certified forensic entomologist and curator of Penn State's Frost Entomological Museum, the workshop features field and laboratory sessions designed to provide state police, municipal police, forensic pathologists, coroners and other criminal investigators with hands-on experience.

Kim began his study of forensic entomology more than two decades ago, at a time when the nation was seeing a substantial increase in homicide cases, many of which lacked sufficient evidence to assist investigators. After 10 years of lending his expertise to law enforcement agencies, Kim saw a need for investigators to receive training in how they can use entomology.

Utilizing insect evidence is important because of what it can reveal, says Kim. Bugs frequently can help determine time of death, cause of death and whether a corpse was disturbed or moved after the crime. These details can point investigators to possible suspects.

"Often, entomology is more accurate than what pathologists or coroners can do alone, because they must make approximations only on visual decomposition," says Kim. "In my opinion, insects are the only entirely objective way to determine the time of death, often within a range of two hours. Knowing that information can lead to who could have committed the crime."

Estimations can be this precise because insects are excellent biological timekeepers. Insects are punctual and follow a defined schedule of arrivals at the corpse, with blowflies generally being the first to land and lay eggs. Within the first 24 hours, eggs hatch, then larvae, or maggots, develop through several life stages before becoming pupae and later, adults.

After determining the species and life stages of crime scene insects and considering environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, forensic entomologists like Kim often are asked to provide murder trial testimony about their findings. Kim's challenge is to explain the science behind his conclusions in a way the jury, judge and legal teams can understand, and to show its reliability as evidence. For credibility, proper collection techniques at the time of investigation are crucial.

For this reason, the Forensic Entomology Workshop will include not only an introduction to entomology and the natural history of carrion-feeding insects, but also an overview of forensic entomology investigation, including the study of a simulated crime scene. Using an animal model, participants will have the chance to collect insect specimens and environmental data at the scene and to witness the succession of the insect community on-site.

They also will conduct laboratory work to practice identification of carrion-feeding insects at various life stages and will learn about postmortem interval analysis, or PMI, using collected specimens. For students who request it in advance, a special session may be available on the taxonomy and identification of blowflies. The course has been approved by the State Board of Coroners.

Workshop registrations will be accepted until May 12. A registration fee of $575 covers tuition, program materials, textbook, collection kit, parking, refreshment breaks and a graduation reception. To learn more about the workshop, visit the course Web site at http://www.ento.psu.edu/ForensicSC/index.htm. For a course brochure and registration materials, call 814-865-8301, or visit the Conferences and Short Courses Web site at http://conferences.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Ke Chung Kim by e-mail at kck@psu.edu or by phone at 814-865-1895.

Contact:

Amanda Yeager aby104@psu.edu 814-865-3636 814-863-9877 fax

Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax #150