Rochelle Daley, a PhD candidate in the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of West Indies (The UWI), has a vision of implementing forensic entomology, also known as insect evidence, across Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. Forensic entomology involves the study of the developmental stages of arthropods that colonize cadavers and can provide crucial information in crime investigations, such as determining the time of death.

Daley emphasized the need for collaboration among researchers, judicial system professionals, law enforcement, and the government to make forensic entomology a practical field in the region. She stressed that acknowledging the value of this science and securing funding are essential for the future and betterment of the country.

The push for the implementation of forensic entomology in Jamaica comes five years after a previous Observer article highlighted its potential significance. In 2018, PhD candidate Latoya Foote expressed surprise at the casual handling of evidence related to insect activity during the investigation into the 2010 operation in Tivoli Gardens.

Dr. Jeffrey Wells, an associate professor at Florida International University's Department of Biological Sciences and the Global Forensic and Justice Centre, emphasized the importance of studying flies and their movements in criminal investigations. He explained that certain insects are attracted to human corpses, laying eggs that develop into larvae or maggots. This information can be valuable evidence in determining the circumstances of a death.

Forensic entomology can help answer critical questions in death investigations, such as the identity of the deceased, the cause and time of death. By analyzing maggots and other insects found at a crime scene, investigators can estimate the time of the crime, helping to narrow down the list of suspects.

Dr. Wells highlighted the use of insects as biological clocks, providing information about the window of time during which a death occurred. Different species of insects present at a crime scene change over time, indicating the progression of decomposition. This information aids investigators in estimating the post-mortem interval.

Rochelle Daley is actively involved in studying flesh flies of forensic importance in Jamaica. Her work focuses on identifying these flies, understanding their larval morphology, and studying their biology. She expressed the importance of fostering a relationship between The UWI and Florida International University, hoping to raise awareness of forensic entomology's potential benefits to the Jamaican legal system.

Photo caption: Rochelle Daley, a PhD candidate in the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of West Indies (The UWI).

The goal is to establish forensic entomology as a valuable tool in legal investigations, particularly in unsolved criminal cases in Jamaica. The collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the field is seen as a crucial step in achieving this objective.Follow the Faculty of Science and Technology on Instagram @uwimona_fst and on Facebook at The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona. For enquiries, WhatsApp us at 1-876 552-4691, call us at 1-876-977-1785 or email us at fst@uwimona.edu.jm.