Manlove Forensics Expands!

Manlove Forensics has completed its move to its new dedicated facility in East Hanney. We have tripled our laboratory space and are now able to carry out larger examinations of more evidence types, including biological examinations. We continue to offer a high quality scene service and are especially proud of our reputation for rapid response, typically being on the road within minutes of a call. This is now made easier with our increased storage space for additional back-up equipment for those calls that sometimes come back to back. The laboratory is located close to the A34, allowing easy access to national rail networks and motorways.

Our new laboratory houses our Entomology Suite where we carry out casework studies alongside our research program. The insects keep us busy all year round, and we continue to develop new and exciting techniques of cultivating the less common insects that prevail in the winter months (see article on page 3). Manlove Forensics has a number of ongoing research projects and fosters close links to academic institutions. With several areas of forensic entomology requiring research to improve and advance our knowledge, there is no shortage of work to be done. We have the capacity to take on placement students, and always welcome enquiries from universities.

Also situated within our new premises is our general examination and training laboratory. Manlove Forensics continues to carry out independent reviews of cases from all sectors, and has formed partnerships with other providers of forensic services to include a full range of expertise. Work that has been carried out recently includes re-examination of the items involved in a murder case, with a view to reconstructing the events from the distribution of blood in addition to a complete review of the forensic aspects of a murder.

Manlove Forensics also continues to provide training to healthcare professionals in basic forensic awareness, and we are expanding our Awareness lecture series to include both entomology and more general forensic analysis. If you would like to be included in our next lecture tour please contact us. More space means more access for visitors to come and learn about the work that we carry out. To arrange a visit of our new facility or to organise a forensic awareness day, please contact our office on 01235 869196 to discuss your requirements.

Maggots Focus Investigation!

The last definite sighting of Philip Evan Jones was in Neath, South Wales on the 10th July 2004. His body was discovered by Police on the 23rd July 2004.

There was a large amount of insect activity on and around his body. John Manlove of Manlove Forensics attended the scene on the 24th July 2004 and collected many samples.

South Wales Police's main requirement was to know when Mr Jones had been murdered, and the insects on his body were the key to finding the answer. John collected a series of samples, firstly taken from the many blowfly larvae on his body, secondly the large number of different flies and beetles feeding on the body and the maggots, and finally, the oldest insect sample from the soil away from the body. (This was because a process known as migration had occurred- where the maggots leave their food source after they have had enough to eat).

In addition SWP were instructed to monitor temperatures from the scene for two weeks so that a good approximation of the site temperature could be worked out for the period of time Mr Jones had been missing- vital information in determining the speed of development of the insects.

The main problem for SWP was that there were many witness sightings of Mr Jones between the last confirmed sighting and when his body was discovered and they needed to eliminate as much time as possible in order to use manpower efficiently. Following initial scene examination, it was possible for John to advise them to concentrate on the first week (and probably the first few days) Mr Jones was missing. Once John had undertaken further work back at the laboratory, it was concluded that the insect infestation would have begun on the 11th July and that Mr Jones would not have been alive after that date. In fact it later transpired that the murder had occurred on the evening of the 10th July 2004- showing that John Manlove's estimate was spot on.

The SIO in the case, DCI Paul Burke was very pleased with the contribution that the insects made solving the case, stating that they assisted with proving that the murder happened on the weekend of the 10-11th July 2004. This all goes to show that far from being merely a smelly inconvenience at scenes, blowfly maggots (and other insects) can provide an a great deal of help to investigating officers and save valuable police resources by;

• Focusing an investigation by Post Mortem Interval estimation
• Establishing movement of a body locally, and over longer distances
• Finding drugs an individual has been taking
• Even human DNA profiles when only the maggots remain!

This article was published with the kind permission of South Wales Police. Please contact John Manlove at Manlove Forensics for details on how forensic entomology can help you!

Other areas of Assistance

With our move to larger premises, we are undertaking phase two of our expansion which will enable us to examine casework items extensively. We will be able to offer the following services:

• Body fluid examination
• Damage interpretation
• Blood pattern analysis
• DNA interpretation
• Trace material analysis
• including glass, paint, dyes, building debris, drugs
• Fire debris examination
• Tool mark comparison
• Footwear comparison
• 'feet in shoes' cases

With years of experience as lead scientists, often overseeing at least ten evidence types, scientists at Manlove Forensics are able to take precautions and be aware of the multitude of different evidence types that can exist at a scene, and prioritise collection. This enables us to not only offer specialist forensic advice, but to also collect and interpret your evidence in situ, which allows maximum information recovery. The familiarity with different evidence types makes us the ideal choice for you if you wish a case reviewed - we can help you obtain that vital link.

We continue to offer an extensive range of scene services to include:

• Crime scene reconstruction
• Blood pattern analysis
• Footwear identification and tracking
• Fire scene interpretation
• Burning damage and thermal injuries

You can find these at the scene of crime

1. Greenbottle (Lucilia sericata)

These lively blowflies are amongst the first to attend a body. They particularly like warm, bright conditions.

2. Bluebottle (Calliphora vicina)

Bluebottles are also amongst the first type of blowfly that lay eggs on a body. They are common and ubiquitous.

3. Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria)

Capable of squirting live larvae onto bodies, these large flies commonly infest bodies in the early stages of decomposition.

4. Cheese skipper (Stearibia nigiceps)

These little flies lay their eggs on material that has been decomposing for a while. Their maggots can jump!

5. Carrion Beetle (Necrodes littoralis)

This type of beetle will feed on maggots. They will lay their eggs on the body and their larvae will also eat maggots.

6. Clown beetle (Hister spp.)

These shiny little beetles feed happily on maggots and are easily overlooked, due to their nocturnal habits.

7. Scuttle fly puparia (Megaselia abdita)

These tiny flies will lay eggs on bodies that have been decomposing for some time. You are more likely to see their clustered puparia.