Forensic Entomology in Nigeria: The Journey so Far
[1]
Ewuim Sylvanus C., Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
[2]
Abajue Maduamaka C., Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
This paper examines forensic entomology as a sub-discipline of Entomology with three areas of focus namely urban, stored product, and medico-legal. The insects as object of forensic expression are veritable tools of evidence in civil and criminal investigations in law courts. In retrospect some of the early efforts of forensic entomologists and researchers in the field have currently allowed the use of sophisticated techniques of forensic entomology in the application of insects and arthropodic evidence in legal issues in countries like United States of America, Canada, Russia, France, Germany and Japan, England and India. The advances made by Nigerian researchers in carrion studies so far were discussed. Some important arthropods of forensic importance were discussed. The role of ants not necessarily as forensic indicators but as ecosystem engineers in carrion/corpse decomposition was also highlighted.
Forensic Entomology, Insects, Criminal Investigations, Ecosystem Engineering, Nigeria
[1]
Abajue, M. C., Ewuim, S. C. and Akunne, C. E. (2013). Insects associated with decomposing pig carrions in Okija Anambra State, Nigeria. The Bioscientist 1 (1): 54–59.
[2]
Abajue, M. C., Ewuim, S. C. and Akunne, C. E. (2014). Preliminary checklist of flies associated with pig carrions decomposition in Okija Anambra State, Nigeria, Animal Research International 11(1): 1899–1904.
[3]
Arimoro, F. O. (2013). Coloniziation and invertebrate succession on mammalian carcasses in Ethiope River, Niger Delta Nigeria Applied Science Research Journal 1(1): 7–21.
[4]
Badejo, M. A. (1999). Soil Management and beneficial soil biota in the humid tropics. In: Vikam M. Reddy (ed.) Management of Tropical Agroecosystem and the beneficial soil Biota. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd. (New Delhi) pp. 281-290.
[5]
Badejo, M. A. (2002). Temuties and man- who wins? An invited symposium paper delivered at the 31st Annual conference of the Entomological society of Nigeria In: Dike, M. C., Ehobakhare D. A., Aisagbonhi C., and Igbinosa, I. B. (eds.) Insects and man in the new millennium; The Nigerian perspective. ESN Occassional Publication 3:30–43.
[6]
Badejo, M. A., Tian G. and Okoh, H. O., (2004). Litter transformers as ecosystem engineers in sustainable agroecosystems In: Badejo, M. A. and Togun, A. O. (eds.). Strategies and Tactics of sustainable agriculture in the tropics Vol. 2 College Press and Publisher Ltd. Ibadan and Enpoct Consultants, Lagos, Nigeria pp 89–106.
[7]
Benecke, M. (2001). A brief history of forensic entomology. Forensic Science International 120: 2-14.
[8]
Byrd, J. H. (2013). Forensic Entomology cited in www.forensicentomology.com
[9]
Catts, E. P. & Goff, M. L. (1992). Forensic Entomology in criminal investigations. Annual Review of Entomology, 37: 253–272.
[10]
Chen, C. D., Nazni, W. A., Lee, H. L., Rosli, H., Nurul A. A., Rosli, R., Lau, K. W., Heo, C. C., Goh T. G., Izzul, A. A., and Mohd, S. (2014). A Preliminary report on Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) recovered from forensic entomological studies conducted in different ecological habitat in Malaysia. Tropical biomedicine 31(2); 381–386.
[11]
Ekanem, M. S. (2008). Immature stages and developmental biology of two muscid flies (Cyclorrhapha:’ Diptera) which breed in carrion in Southern Nigeria. The Zoologist 6: 1-6.
[12]
Ekanem, M. S. and Dike, M. C. (2010). Arthropod succession on pig carcasses in Southern Nigeria. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 50 (35): 561–570.
[13]
Ekanem, M. S. and Usua, E. J. (2005). Preliminary study of arthropod species development and succession on carrion in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Entomology 22: 18-31.
[14]
Ekrakene, T. and Iloba, B. N. (2011). One death, many insect species, yet one insect generation. Journal of Entomology. 8: 27–39.
[15]
Ewuim, S. C. (2006). Environmental implications of ants sampled from two contrasting habitats using the pitfall technique in Awka, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 3rd SOSEH National Conference, Awka. pp 79-87.
[16]
Ewuim, S. C. (2007). Formicid fauna of contrasting Tropical Rainforest Agroecosystem and their environmental implications. Animal Research International 4(2): 666–672.
[17]
Ewuim, S. C. (2008). Beetle fauna of Agro and Forest Ecosystems in a tropical rainforest Habitat, Nigeria, Animal Research International 5(1): 780–782.
[18]
Ewuim, S. C., Akunne, C. E. and Faniran, O. J. (2012). The role of soil insects as allogenic ecosystem engineers in Nigeria Environtropica 8: 186–192.
[19]
Folgarait, P. J. (1998). Antbiodiversity and its relationship to ecosystem functioning: a review, Biodiversity and conservation 7: 1221-1244.
[20]
Gill, G. J. (2005). Decomposition and arthropod succession on above ground pig carrion in rural Manitoba. Technical Report No. 6 submitted to the Canadian Police Research Centre, pp: 180.
[21]
Isaac, J., Deepu, G. M., Pradeesh, S. and Geetha, V. (2011). The use of insects in forensic investigations: An overview on the scope of forensic entomology J. Forensic Dent Sci 3 (2): 89 -91.
[22]
Jones, C. G., Lawton, J. H. and Shachak, M. (1994). Organisms as ecosystem engineers Oikos 69: 373–386.
[23]
Jouquet, P., Dauber, J., Lagerlof, J., Lavelle P., and Lapage, M. (2006). Soil invertebrates as ecosystem engineers: intended and accidental effects on soil and feedback loops. Applied Soil Ecology 32(2) 153-164.
[24]
Lord, W. D. and J. F. Burger, (1984). Athropods associated with harbor seal (Phoca nitulina) carcasses stranded on islands along the New England coast. Int. J. Entomol, 26: 282-285.
[25]
Mcknight, B. E. (1981). The Washing away of Wrong S. Forensic Medicine in the 13th Century China, Ann Arbor, Michigan p. 181.
[26]
Morris, B., (1988). Carcass decomposition and early arthropod succession. Proceedings of the 18th International Congress of Entomology, July 3- 9, Vancouver, Canada, pp: 267–267.
[27]
Okiwelu, S. N., Ikpamii, I., and Umeozor, O. C. (2008). Arthropods associated with Mammalian Carcasses in River State, Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Research 11: 39–342.
[28]
Omoloye, A. A. (2008) Fundamentals of Insect Pest Management. Corporate Publishers, Lagos.
[29]
Payne, J. A. (1965). A summer carrion study of the baby pig Sus scrofa Linnaeus. Ecology, 46: 592-602.
[30]
Schoenly, K. and Reid, W. (1987). Dynamics of heterotrophic succession in carrion arthropod assemblage: Discrete series or a continuum of change. Oecologia 73: 192 – 202.
[31]
Tantawi, T. I., E. M, El-Kady, B. Greenberg and H. A. El-Ghaffar, (1996). Arthropod succession on exposed rabbit carrion in Alexandria, Egypt. J. Med. Entomol, 33: 566-580.
[32]
Usua, I. J. (2007). Forensic Entomology and Humanity. Symposium paper presented at the 35th Annual Conference of the Entomological Society of Nigeria held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeira. Nig. J. Ent. 24: 1- 16.
[33]
Wright, J. P. and Jones, C. G. (2006). The concept of organisms as Ecosystem Engineers Ten Years On: Progress, Limitations and Challenges. BioScience 56(3): 203–209.
