The Evidence of Nature

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The Evidence of Nature

There is an intricate link between natural phenomena, living and non-living organisms, as well as the way they interact. On rather specific grounds, entomology; the study of insects has a way of interaction with nature to the extent that some predictable patterns can be deciphered from such interactions. This gives a range of options different perspectives. In cases of dead or decomposing matter, nature presents a situation whereby different types of insects are likely to exist at scenes of such bodies at different times. Some insects may not appear in such scenes on the first day; however, they may begin to stream in on the fifth day while the ones appearing on the first day have disappeared. It is this natural pattern that can be premeditated in entomology that Dr. Zakaria Erzinçlioglu presents in The Evidence of Nature presenting the strongest possibilities of how it can be used in evidence presentation and forensics investigation.

Chapter three of the book Maggots, Murder and Men occurs between pages 49-74 and bears the tittle The Evidence of Nature. In his introduction to this chapter, Erzinçlioglu quotes; “Speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee. The Bible, Job XII: 8” (49), Perhaps pointing to the relevance of nature in forensics and crime detection. It is worth noting that no records occur that clearly outline the role of living organisms in forensic evidence analysis. Conceivably, this may be the driving force behind the writing of this chapter; where various insects like flies and other elements of nature are strongly brought out elementarily as sources of evidence in crime scenes.

By using the example of the model that looks like a totem pole, the author draws the limnology link between various events. In evidence analysis, this can be used in validating crime, just as totem poles speak a lot about family lineages, and indicate outstanding privileged conditions and rights traditionally belonging to such families. Thus is the case in entomology and evidence analysis (51).

Using Specific analyses of evidence found in nature, Erzinçlioglu goes ahead to use wasps in an analysis of a murder and the evidence of nature surrounding the murder scene. Considerably, the nature of material used to make wasp nests may have to tell a lot, especially when it interacts with humanity in various ways. Thus, from the scene, Erzinçlioglu analyses these delicate materials and comes out with a dependable analysis that they could suggest when the murder was committed (55).

Two or three other elements that naturally occur get incisively analysed in this chapter. These include the nature of fossil diatoms, the nature of land, and that of water. He notes that there is an outstanding use of fossil diatoms in the production and manufacture of car polish. Specifically, brand issues make each production dissimilar to the other, making it unique and special. Thus, providing the possibility of the use of this feature in evidence analysis and tracking of crime (63). To be specific, he cites at least one case of successful use of this feature in investigations.

Among the most analysed also exists the role of land and water as sources of evidence of suspicious deaths and various elements of crime. Reiterating his original comment about scenes of evidence, the fact that fictional novels and movies provide sequentially suitable and well organized links to evidence remains a mirage. If anything, collecting evidence to prove a point can be a nightmare. All the same, he points out that the two natural scenic environments; water and land, provide grounds on which evidence is drawn.

While going through all this, Erzinclioglu manages to make the point of evidence existing in nature at crime scenes a success. Noting that murder leaves bodies, which progressively change and decompose, then becomes a habitat for various organisms (forensic entomology), and which, when combined with other elements of nature like land and water; can help in investigations. This is the essence of the chapter; The Evidence of Nature.

Reference

Erzinclioglu, Z. (2013). Maggots, Murder, and Men: Memories and Reflections of a Forensic Entomologist. New York: St. Martin’s Press.