Apart from the sporadic use of entomological evidence in the distant past, the scientific discipline of forensic entomology was pioneered in Europe in the 19th Century, with studies of the fauna of corpses, and in the mid 20th Century, by the application of this growing body of knowledge to forensic cases. Greenberg then extended these studies to the American situation, and progressively to a global perspective. Today several of America's best known practitioners are former students of Greenberg, who is rightly perceived to be the father of forensic entomology in America. We are therefore fortunate that, in his retirement, he has now chosen to give us a critical summary of the state of knowledge in this arcane field. Furthermore, he has persuaded his friend Kunich to contribute the first comprehensive review of its scientific aspects in the context of legal practice. Kunich is uniquely qualified to undertake this task by virtue of being a law professor who initially qualified in entomology. While this book has an American emphasis, both authors take a world view of the subject.
The book is undoubtedly a landmark work of scholarship with regard to the best known area of forensic entomology - the interpretation of entomological evidence in cases of suspicious death. It is likely to be the standard reference, for many years, for information on blowflies (Calliphoridae) and other relatively large flies (e.g. Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) that are encountered in forensic cases. The book starts with a glossary that should help both entomologists and lawyers to understand each other. Greenberg then briefly reviews a history of flies and mankind, before proceeding with a masterly review of the forensically relevant aspects of the biology of the flies of his concern. This is followed by keys to all stages (eggs to adults) of these flies, subdivided by major biogeographical region. He includes some reference to smaller flies (such as Phoridae), but selected on the basis of his own cases rather than with reference to the literature, particularly neglecting most of the latter published in Europe. He then critically reviews the problems of estimating time of death from the flies found on a corpse. He concludes with a discussion of the entomologist as an expert witness in court. The great strength of Greenberg's treatment is that he is at pains to illustrate his points with examples from specific cases.
Kunich likewise builds his review from a host of particular cases. He first discusses the law of scientific evidence. He then looks in detail at the admissibility of entomological evidence. He concludes with a discussion of the optimal use of entomological evidence in court. Throughout, each point is illustrated by reference to at least one specific case. Indeed both authors provide detailed citations of the relevant literature. The book's concluding index is useful but a trifle perfunctory.
The limitations of this book are those imposed by the authors themselves. Thus, not only are the smaller flies hardly mentioned, but non-flies (of which beetles in particular are often significant) are not covered. Likewise other areas of forensic entomology are only mentioned in passing, if at all. Thus the contamination of food by insects is a field increasingly leading to litigation; and likewise cases of myiasis* in neglected or maltreated livestock and pets.
Despite its limitations, the authors are to be congratulated on a book of sound scholarship and of great practical value.
