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Snuff – Comments on the historical background of a current topic by Dr. Mark Benecke
Snuff – Comments on the historical background of a current topic by Dr. Mark Benecke

Comments on the historical background & Interview

Insects Under The Skin? Ziploc And Matchbox Evidence In The Expert Forensic Stain Laboratory
Insects Under The Skin? Ziploc And Matchbox Evidence In The Expert Forensic Stain Laboratory

The idea of insects living inside and on the (human) body literally drives people affected by the thought crazy. We receive samples containing alleged insect stain evidence on a regular basis which on examination mostly turn out to be non-animal fragments of skin, hair, fibers et cetera.

Witness after the event
Witness after the event

Book review on A Fly for the Prosecution by Lee Goff

Mind Your Decompositional Assumptions
Mind Your Decompositional Assumptions

Decompositional processes depend on temperature, humidity, and light, as well as on animals that can access the body. In low-level cases, suicides, or cases of self-neglect especially, these factors are not always taken into consideration because a full investigation may not have taken place.

The hunt for Hitler's teeth
The hunt for Hitler's teeth

How one forensic biologist stumbled across the only remaining body parts of Adolf Hitler… in a floppy-disc case in Moscow.

DNA typing in forensic medicine and in criminal investigations: a current survey
DNA typing in forensic medicine and in criminal investigations: a current survey

A brief overview is given of past and present DNA typing and the establishment of forensic DNA databases in Europe.

(GTG)5 allows the distinction between different isolates of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
(GTG)5 allows the distinction between different isolates of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

We have not been able to distinguish different isolates from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by morphological means. However, they differ on the molecular level and strains from several geographic regions can be identified with the help of "genetic fingerprints" using the oligonucleotide probe (GTG)5.

Allele frequency distributions of the polymorphic STR loci HUMVWA, HUMFES, HUMF13A01 and the VNTR D1S80 in a Filipino population from Metro Manila
Allele frequency distributions of the polymorphic STR loci HUMVWA, HUMFES, HUMF13A01 and the VNTR D1S80 in a Filipino population from Metro Manila

Allele frequency distributions at the short tandem repeat (STR) loci HUMVWA, HUMFES, HUMF13A01 and of the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) locus D1S80 were determined in a Filipino population from Metro Manila (103 individuals) by use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

Short tandem repeat (STR) locus HUMD8S306 in a large population sample from Germany
Short tandem repeat (STR) locus HUMD8S306 in a large population sample from Germany

Applied DNA typing in medico-legal investigations, in criminalistic practice, and in paternity cases often relies on high inclusion and exclusion probabilities.

Inhibitory learning and memory in the topshell (Monodonta lineata)
Inhibitory learning and memory in the topshell (Monodonta lineata)

One hundred eighty topshells (Monodonta lineata) were exposed to inhibitory learning procedures.

Detection and quantification of Proporxur in the succession of insects of medico-legal importance
Detection and quantification of Proporxur in the succession of insects of medico-legal importance

To detect and quantify the amount of Propoxur in insects of forensic importance and search for entomotoxicologic indicators, the HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) technique was used on individuals collected during the ecological succession associated with the corpses of rabbits.

Two homosexual pedophile sadistic serial killers
Two homosexual pedophile sadistic serial killers

From a criminalistic and legal perspective, we report 2 cases of homosexual pedophile serial killers who share certain characteristics.

Homosexual Pedophile Serial Killer Juergen Bartsch (1946-1976)
Homosexual Pedophile Serial Killer Juergen Bartsch (1946-1976)

Report on a fully confessing, very young serial killer who exactly detailed his crimes und intentions to the police, und several psychiatrists.

Murder most putrid
Murder most putrid

Here is that rare thing, a good popular book on forensic entomology that is also an illuminating read on forensic science itself and on the art of being an expert witness.

The quantitative alteration of the DNA content in strangulation marks is an artefact
The quantitative alteration of the DNA content in strangulation marks is an artefact

It is frequently difficult to prove the vitality in cases of fatal hanging. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between elevated DNA content and reduced water content of strangulation marks.

Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat haplotypes at the loci DYS393, DYS19, DYS392, and DYS385-I/II, DYS390, DYS389-I/II, and DYS391 in a Filipino population sample
Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat haplotypes at the loci DYS393, DYS19, DYS392, and DYS385-I/II, DYS390, DYS389-I/II, and DYS391 in a Filipino population sample
A homicide in the Ukraine
A homicide in the Ukraine

In an apartment, bone fragments were found in a fireplace. Furthermore, a varnished skull was found elsewhere in the same apartment.

Coding or non-coding, that is the question
Coding or non-coding, that is the question

Having solved the last technical hurdles to extract DNA information from virtually any biological material, forensic biologists now have to ponder the ethical and social questions of using information from exonic DNA.

Asian online Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database
Asian online Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database

For several years Y-chromosomal microsatellites (short tandem repeats, STRs) have been well established in forensic practice. In this context, the genetic characteristics of the Y chromosome (i.e. its paternal inheritance and lack of recombination) render STRs particularly powerful.

Six forensic entomology cases: description and commentary
Six forensic entomology cases: description and commentary

Several cases are reported which show that a wide range of applications in medico-legal questions and hygiene together or apart from estimating the PMI can be answered by use of Forensic Entomology techniques including close observation of larval development.

DXS10011: studies on structure, allele distribution in three populations and genetic linkage to further q-telomeric chromosome X markers
DXS10011: studies on structure, allele distribution in three populations and genetic linkage to further q-telomeric chromosome X markers

The hypervariable tetranucleotide STR polymorphism DXS10011 is a powerful marker for forensic purposes.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing of necrophageous insects (diptera, coleoptera) in criminal forensic studies: validation and use in practice
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing of necrophageous insects (diptera, coleoptera) in criminal forensic studies: validation and use in practice

To permit quick identification of arthropods, random amplified polymorphic DNA typing (RAPD) was used to support classical morphological and medico-legal analysis of maggots on a human corpse.

Severe post mortem damages by ants on a human corpse
Severe post mortem damages by ants on a human corpse

We report a case of skin damages on a human corpse found in late spring in a suburban area of Cosenza (Region Calabria, Southern Italy) caused by activity of Tapinoma nigerrimum (Nylander) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Neglect of the elderly: forensic entomology cases and considerations
Neglect of the elderly: forensic entomology cases and considerations

Wounds of living persons are a potential target for the same flies that live, or feed early on corpses. This can lead to complications in estimation of PMI but also allows to determine additional information that might be valuable in a trial, or during the investigations.

Flies and ants: A forensic entomological neglect case of an elderly man in Calabria, Southern Italy
Flies and ants: A forensic entomological neglect case of an elderly man in Calabria, Southern Italy

This is a case of an 80-year-old man who was neglected for one to two weeks in Calabria (Italy). Different flies and ant lesions were present.

Key Words: neglect of the elderly, forensic entomology, ants, ant lesions, Diptera.

Sexual Assault and Murder: When DNA Does Not Help Even Though It Is Present
Sexual Assault and Murder: When DNA Does Not Help Even Though It Is Present

Two cases demonstrate that full reliance on biological stains may lead to either wrongful convictions or no prosecution at all.

Curiouser & Curiouser. The Francke Foundations’ Chamber of Wonder
Curiouser & Curiouser. The Francke Foundations’ Chamber of Wonder

The online launch of the annual Francke Foundations’ exhibition, ‘Wunderkammer’ or ‘Chamber of Wonder’, on 2 May 2021 in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, celebrated, among other things, the 300th anniversary of the first European children’s hospital on the Foundations’ premises in Halle/Saale.

Mark Benecke's Forensic Entomology Special Issue Forensic Science International
Mark Benecke's Forensic Entomology Special Issue Forensic Science International

An international journal dedicated to the applications of medicine and science in the administration of justice



Dermestes frischii and D. undulatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on a Human Corpse in Southern Italy
Dermestes frischii and D. undulatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on a Human Corpse in Southern Italy

Dermestidae and other necrophagous beetles may aid in the estimation of post-mortem interval, especially in situations where decompostionen is advanced and therefore, insect succession patterns are the best method available.

Forensic Entomology exemplified by a high profile homicide. A combined stain and postmortem time analysis (postmortem interval, PMI))
Forensic Entomology exemplified by a high profile homicide. A combined stain and postmortem time analysis (postmortem interval, PMI))

The combined analysis of both ant and blow fly evidence recovered from a corpse, and from the boot of a suspect, suggested that an assumed scenario in a high profile murder case was likely to be true.