Central Arizona Butterfly Association

Meeting with guest speaker Andrew Meeds: Decomposition in the Desert-Forensic Entomology in Maricopa County, Arizona

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Forensic entomology refers to the use of insects in legal investigations. While this can encompass a wide variety of scenarios, forensic entomology is most frequently used during the course of death investigations. By researching the insects associated with decomposing remains, forensic entomologists can determine how long remains have been present in an area and even whether the remains were moved from one location to another. This talk will detail some findings and unique challenges of forensic entomology research in the Sonoran Desert. Andrew Meeds manages the Forensic Entomology and Wildlife Laboratory under Dr. Lauren Weidner at Arizona State University West Valley’s School of Interdisciplinary Forensics. He has been involved in the lab’s research since 2019, has taught undergraduate courses in forensic entomology, and is technician-certified by the American Board of Forensic Entomology. Entomology is a lifelong passion for Andrew and he enjoys searching for, photographing, and identifying various insects. He has been active in citizen science outlets like iNaturalist and BugGuide since his teenage days.