Roadmap for Bridging Basic and Applied Research in Forensic Entomology

The National Research Council issued a report in 2009 that heavily criticized the forensic sciences. The report made several recommendations that if addressed would allow the forensic sciences to develop a stronger scientific foundation. We suggest a roadmap for decomposition ecology and forensic en...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Annual review of entomology 2011-01, Vol.56 (1), p.401-421
Main Authors:	Tomberlin, J.K, Mohr, R, Benbow, M.E, Tarone, A.M, VanLaerhoven, S
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animals carrion insects community ecology decomposition ecology degradation detritivores ecological genetics Entomology - methods Entomology - trends forensic entomology Forensic Sciences - methods Forensic Sciences - trends guidelines insect behavior insect genetics Insecta literature reviews molecular genetics necrophagy reliability research methods scavenging behavior temporal variation validity
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Summary:	The National Research Council issued a report in 2009 that heavily criticized the forensic sciences. The report made several recommendations that if addressed would allow the forensic sciences to develop a stronger scientific foundation. We suggest a roadmap for decomposition ecology and forensic entomology hinging on a framework built on basic research concepts in ecology, evolution, and genetics. Unifying both basic and applied research fields under a common umbrella of terminology and structure would facilitate communication in the field and the production of scientific results. It would also help to identify novel research areas leading to a better understanding of principal underpinnings governing ecosystem structure, function, and evolution while increasing the accuracy of and ability to interpret entomological evidence collected from crime scenes. By following the proposed roadmap, a bridge can be built between basic and applied decomposition ecology research, culminating in science that could withstand the rigors of emerging legal and cultural expectations.
ISSN:	0066-4170 1545-4487