In Dorothy E. Gennard's wonderfully produced volume, the author provides an outstanding and unique introduction to forensic entomology. The study of insects in cases of forensic or medico-legal interest can provide a significant contribution to criminal investigation, whether it is to estimate minimum time since death (post-mortem interval), to assess abuse and neglect of both humans and other animals, to examine contamination of food or to establish the geographical provenance of drugs. It is important that police officers and crime scene investigators are fully aware of this potential and of the techniques employed. It is also important for upcoming forensic entomologists to learn about protocols and guides to good practice. This volume offers just that in an informative and sufficiently detailed manner by an experienced practitioner.

Chapter 1 introduces the breadth of forensic entomology with an overview of its different applications, provides a brief historical background and outlines how some would classify the different stages of decomposition of a corpse. Chapter 2 covers the anatomy and species identification of those flies that are useful in forensic cases. A similar structure is followed in Chapter 3, with an introduction to beetles in criminal investigation and by also referring to their anatomy and methods of identification. In Chapter 4 the reader finds detailed information about the life cycle of flies and beetles, facts about egg deposition (extremely useful to the investigator as to where to look for these on a victim), the ecology of insects and their succession in a corpse, as well as tips on the preparation of slides in the laboratory. The important aspect of sampling is the focus of Chapter 5, which is not only useful for forensic entomologists but also for crime scene investigators when an expert cannot be available to attend a scene. This chapter also provides a list of recommended entomology equipment to take to a crime scene and includes invaluable protocols for storing and processing samples. This is followed (Chapter 6) by a review of the techniques for breeding samples for analysis, in addition to providing practical hints regarding presentation of a specimen in court. Chapter 7 focuses on the estimation of minimum PMI or post-mortem interval (time since death), which sees entomology in one of its most popular and broadest contributions to forensic science. In this chapter, the reader is also invited to a practical exercise on PMI calculation. The ecological context of flies and beetles is covered in Chapters 8 and 9 respectively, with examples from the UK and abroad. As part of his or her role, the forensic entomologist should be prepared to give expert testimony in court and this is well presented in Chapter 10. The final chapter (Chapter 11) provides useful information for entomologists wishing to enter the forensic arena, with information on professional organizations, protocols and research ideas. The volume ends with seven useful appendices as well as a glossary. These include information on UK legal acts and USA legislation, species checklists and a number of questions to ask at a crime scene. The sections on further reading and useful websites, which can be found at the end of each chapter, as well as the reference list, provide other great sources of information.

Writing this review in my capacity as a forensic scientist involved with ecological evidence types and interested in the applications of the discipline of entomology and sampling protocols, this volume comes across as very complete and very informative. It is certainly clear and well structured, brilliantly illustrated and provides the reader with sufficient detail to appreciate the wide spectrum of entomology in forensic science. No book will equip someone to become a practitioner but nevertheless this volume has successfully maximized the balance between the basics and more advanced knowledge, between the academic and the practitioner, with something for every different type of reader, be it a student, a scientist, an experienced entomologist, a crime scene investigator or a detective. It is, for that, wonderfully balanced. An additional strength in my view is the practitioner's experience, which is reflected in the book and her recommendations on sampling and other protocols, and which I feel will be invaluable to the majority of readers. The book has also a general focus, with examples not only from the UK but from other countries too. The chapter on the post-mortem interval is also well versed, clear and concise, and provides another valuable contribution to this introduction to forensic entomology. The cited literature, further reading and websites are certainly a worthy effort. The book overall is excellent and certainly extremely comprehensible.

Perhaps slightly lacking is a more in depth discussion of working at a crime scene, although this is gently covered in Chapter 10. Although protocols can vary between countries (and even police forces), the upcoming forensic entomologist would have benefited from some crime scene awareness (e.g. logging into the scene, working as part of a larger team), which some may not actually get until they reach their first real crime scene! Likewise, if at all possible, some mention of working in the mortuary and an awareness of mortuary procedures and the role of the entomologist with the rest of the team members, including the forensic pathologist, might have been helpful too. For the upcoming forensic entomologist, the information on the post-mortem interval in Chapter 7 is without doubt brilliant, yet some information may have been expected on how the study of insects can help with the investigation and by illustrating how PMI calculations as derived from entomology have helped with cases in the past. Although the 2007 publication is perfectly written and researched and of value for many years, in the 2012 edition there is some expansion of a number of areas in forensic entomology and in it the reader will find up-to-date small factual information such as current associations and websites.

In sum, the author ought to be congratulated for a clear, well presented, very comprehensive, informative and complete introduction to the field of forensic entomology. It certainly ought to be recommended as a teaching resource for students, but also as a read to enhance the awareness of upcoming practitioners, crime scene investigators, police officers and forensic pathologists. Without doubt, the book certainly brings to light the value of insects in forensic science and criminal investigation and should raise the interest and curiosity of readers. Overall, this is a significant contribution to promoting the field of forensic entomology. The 2012 edition should be even better.