'Amanuensis' and 'Steatopygia': the complexity of 'Telling the Tale 'in Zoë Wicomb's David's Story
- Authors: Dass, Minesh
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142599 , vital:38094 , http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/eia.v38i2.3
- Description: Two words, 'amanuensis' and 'steatopygia,' each burdened with its own history, appear in Zoë Wicomb's David's Story with a frequency that commands further consideration. This study shows that these two words are in fact narratives which reveal the tension, inherent in all historical narratives, between that which is denotative or factual and that which is connotative or fictional. Similarly, the words also form the shifting horizon from which we may see history as a narrative of the past that is always also a narrative of the present. The link between these words will ultimately show the complex, compromised role of the narrator and, perhaps, of all historians.
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- Date Issued: 2011
'Iron on iron': modernism engaging apartheid in some South African railway poems
- Authors: Wright, Laurence
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:7068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007459 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00138398.2011.626177
- Description: preprint , Modernism tends to be criticised, internationally, as politically conservative. The objection is often valid, although the charge says little about the quality of artistic achievement involved. This article argues that the alliance between Modernism and political conservatism is by no means a necessary one, and that there are instances where modernist vision has been used to convey substantive political insight, effective social critique and solid resistance. To illustrate the contrast,the article juxtaposes the abstract Modernism associated with Ben Nicholson and World War 2, with a neglected strain of South African railway poetry which uses modernist techniques to effect a powerful critique of South Africa’s apartheid dispensation. The article sustains a distinction between universalising modernist art that requires ethical work from its audiences to achieve artistic completion, and art in which modernist vision performs the requisite ethical work within its own formal constraints. Four very different South African railway poems, by Dennis Brutus, John Hendrickse, Alan Paton, and Leonard Koza, are examined and contextualised to demonstrate ways in which a modernist vision has been used to portray the social disruptions caused by apartheid. Modernist techniques are used to turn railway experience into a metonym for massive social disruption,without betraying the social reality of the transport technology involved.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A Baseline Numeric Analysis of Network Telescope Data for Network Incident Discovery
- Authors: Cowie, Bradley , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427971 , vital:72477 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Ir-win/publication/326225071_An_Evaluation_of_Trading_Bands_as_Indicators_for_Network_Telescope_Datasets/links/5b3f231a4585150d2309e1c0/An-Evaluation-of-Trading-Bands-as-Indicators-for-Network-Telescope-Datasets.pdf
- Description: This paper investigates the value of Network Telescope data as a mechanism for network incident discovery by considering data summa-rization, simple heuristic identification and deviations from previously observed traffic distributions. It is important to note that the traffic ob-served is obtained from a Network Telescope and thus does not expe-rience the same fluctuations or vagaries experienced by normal traffic. The datasets used for this analysis were obtained from a Network Tele-scope for the time period August 2005 to September 2009 which had been allocated a Class-C network address block at Rhodes University. The nature of the datasets were considered in terms of simple statistical measures obtained through data summarization which greatly reduced the processing and observation required to determine whether an inci-dent had occurred. However, this raised issues relating to the time in-terval used for identification of an incident. A brief discussion into statis-tical summaries of Network Telescope data as" good" security metrics is provided. The summaries derived were then used to seek for signs of anomalous network activity. Anomalous activity detected was then rec-onciled by considering incidents that had occurred in the same or simi-lar time interval. Incidents identified included Conficker, Win32. RinBot, DDoS and Norton Netware vulnerabilities. Detection techniques includ-ed identification of rapid growth in packet count, packet size deviations, changes in the composition of the traffic expressed as a ratio of its constituents and changes in the modality of the data. Discussion into the appropriateness of this sort of manual analysis is provided and suggestions towards an automated solution are discussed.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A comparison of three techniques for fluorochrome marking of juvenile Clarias gariepinus otoliths
- Authors: Wartenberg, Reece , Booth, Anthony J , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123520 , vital:35450 , https://doi.10.3377/004.046.0119
- Description: African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), is widely distributed with a natural range that extends from southern Turkey to the Orange River, South Africa (Skelton 2001). In addition to translocations within its southerly range (Cambray 2003), Cambray (2005) noted that as a result of poor aquaculture practices and introductions from a number of unknown sources, C. gariepinus has now invaded South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its life history characteristics include a fast growth rate to a maximum length of 1300mmtotal length (TL) (Bruton 1976), a high fecundity, an omnivorous diet and the ability to breathe air (de Moor & Bruton 1988; Cambray 2003). Understanding the biology and population dynamics of this invader would assist in its management and possibly eradication.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A Critical Analysis of the Role of School Governing Bodies in the Recruitment, Selection and Transfer of Educators in the Butterworth District
- Authors: Sifuba, Mpilo
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3495 , vital:43616
- Description: Recruitment, selection and transfer of educators were decentralized after South Africa became a democratic state in 1994 and shifted to School Governing Bodies. The legislation promoted a shared governance and participation of parents in issues that are related to recruitment, selection and transfer of educators, but parents are struggling and facing challenges in performing these tasks as School Governing Body members especially in the Butterworth district, as a result of that Butterworth district is experiencing problems with increasing number of disputes resulting from the appointment of educators after they have been recommended by the School Governing Bodies. This study focuses on the recruitment, selection and transfer of educators in the Butterworth district of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study sought to reveal the thinking behind government insistence on giving the School Governing Bodies a responsibility to recruit, select and transfer educators knowing fully well that they do not perform this responsibility. A qualitative approach was used to explore and challenge this phenomenon. This approach is concerned with understanding social phenomenon from the participant’s perspective. In depth semi – structured interviews with open ended questions were used to bring the researcher more closer to a more plausible perspective of this phenomenon. Moreover, they were used because they are the most appropriate method to capture the data. The findings revealed that School Governing Bodies are faced with challenges such as: high level of illiteracy, manipulation of School Governing Bodies by school management, unions and candidates, the issue of regionalism and kickbacks, capacity building and empowerment and role played by the Departmental Officials. By conducting this study, we hope that the findings might contribute in identifying the disjuncture between the policy and the practice in issues pertaining to educator recruitment, selection and transfers. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2011
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- Date Issued: 2011
A framework for DNS based detection and mitigation of malware infections on a network
- Authors: Stalmans, Etienne , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429827 , vital:72642 , 10.1109/ISSA.2011.6027531
- Description: Modern botnet trends have lead to the use of IP and domain fast-fluxing to avoid detection and increase resilience. These techniques bypass traditional detection systems such as blacklists and intrusion detection systems. The Domain Name Service (DNS) is one of the most prevalent protocols on modern networks and is essential for the correct operation of many network activities, including botnet activity. For this reason DNS forms the ideal candidate for monitoring, detecting and mit-igating botnet activity. In this paper a system placed at the network edge is developed with the capability to detect fast-flux domains using DNS queries. Multiple domain features were examined to determine which would be most effective in the classification of domains. This is achieved using a C5.0 decision tree classifier and Bayesian statistics, with positive samples being labeled as potentially malicious and nega-tive samples as legitimate domains. The system detects malicious do-main names with a high degree of accuracy, minimising the need for blacklists. Statistical methods, namely Naive Bayesian, Bayesian, Total Variation distance and Probability distribution are applied to detect mali-cious domain names. The detection techniques are tested against sample traffic and it is shown that malicious traffic can be detected with low false positive rates.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A Framework for DNS Based Detection of Botnets at the ISP Level
- Authors: Stalmans, Etienne , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/427984 , vital:72478 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Ir-win/publication/327622932_A_Framework_for_DNS_Based_Detection_of_Botnets_at_the_ISP_Level/links/5b9a14e1458515310583fc19/A-Framework-for-DNS-Based-Detection-of-Botnets-at-the-ISP-Level.pdf
- Description: The rapid expansion of networks and increase in internet connected devices has lead to a large number of hosts susceptible to virus infec-tion. Infected hosts are controlled by attackers and form so called bot-nets. These botnets are used to steal data, mask malicious activity and perform distributed denial of service attacks. Traditional protection mechanisms rely on host based detection of viruses. These systems are failing due to the rapid increase in the number of vulnerable hosts and attacks that easily bypass detection mechanisms. This paper pro-poses moving protection from the individual hosts to the Internet Ser-vice Provider (ISP), allowing for the detection and prevention of botnet traffic. DNS traffic inspection allows for the development of a lightweight and accurate classifier that has little or no effect on network perfor-mance. By preventing botnet activity at the ISP level, it is hoped that the threat of botnets can largely be mitigated.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A Framework for the Management of Operator Policies and User Preferences for Service Compositions in the IP Multimedia Subsystem
- Authors: Tsietsi, Mosiuoa , Terzoli, Alfredo , Wells, George C
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430680 , vital:72708 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6032212
- Description: The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a telecommunication middleware platform with robust service features that enables the delivery of a wide range of services to mobile network subscribers. Network operators are encouraged to develop services from service building blocks in order to avoid redundancies by re-using existing functionality. In this environ-ment, operators must be able to control the service execution chain in order to prevent undesirable interactions from occurring between indi-vidual building blocks. It is also in their interests to provide subscribers with personalisation options so that they can modify service composi-tions and define their own preferences for how they would like their ser-vices to behave during live sessions. This paper describes a solution for these challenges that involves the storage of service information in an XDMS and allows operator staff and subscribers to manage this in-formation using the XCAP protocol. The ETSI-defined XCAP applica-tion usage named simservs was chosen to demonstrate an application usage that can be used to create service compositions in XML format. A prototype is described that uses components of the open source Mo-bicents project to verify the suitability of the design. This work is part of a larger effort aimed at modeling interaction management in the IMS through the use of a service broker that is part of an extended IMS ser-vice layer (EISL). The service broker's functional and structural architec-ture have not yet been standardised.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A fuzz testing framework for evaluating and securing network applications
- Authors: Zeisberger, Sascha , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/428000 , vital:72479 , https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barry-Ir-win/publication/327622655_A_Fuzz_Testing_Framework_for_Evaluating_and_Securing_Network_Applications/links/5b9a153b92851c4ba8181b0d/A-Fuzz-Testing-Framework-for-Evaluating-and-Securing-Network-Applications.pdf
- Description: Research has shown that fuzz-testing is an effective means of increasing the quality and security of software and systems. This project proposes the im-plementation of a testing framework based on numerous fuzz-testing tech-niques. The framework will allow a user to detect errors in applications and locate critical areas in the applications that are responsible for the detected errors. The aim is to provide an all-encompassing testing framework that will allow a developer to quickly and effectively deploy fuzz tests on an applica-tion and ensure a higher level of quality control before deployment.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A research tool for analysing and monitoring the Extent to which Environmental issues are integrated into teachers’ lessons
- Authors: Nsubuga, Yvonne
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386447 , vital:68142 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122246"
- Description: South Africa enjoys strong policy support for the integration of environmental issues into school curricula. However, much doubt exists over the extent to which this has been converted into appropriate classroom practice at the majority of under-resourced rural schools in the country. This article reports on a study which piloted a research tool which can be used to analyse teachers’ lessons, with the aim of gaining insight into the extent to which they integrate natural resource management issues. The research tool was based on Bernstein’s concept of classification and consisted of five indicators of natural resource management integration into Life Sciences lessons. The study contributes to the design of research tools that can be used to analyse and monitor the integration of environmental issues into teachers’ lessons. It also provides some insight into the environmental content of a sample of Grade 10 Life Sciences lessons at four rural underresourced schools in the Eastern Cape.
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- Date Issued: 2011
A Search for Conjunctions at a Time of Direction-setting Review and Synthesis
- Authors: O'Donoghue, Rob B
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387134 , vital:68209 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122240"
- Description: This journal reflects a diversity of environment and sustainability education research and viewpoints alongside two synthesis papers. Read as a whole and within a widely held ideal that diversity reflects resilience, the environment and education for sustainable development landscape in Africa might be said to be healthy and proliferating. But read against the pressure to produce tangible evidence of change on an African landscape of persistent climate variation and poverty, along with a widening gap between rich and poor, the picture remains challenging. These contrasting readings are notable at a time when we are looking towards the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Triennial in February, 2012, the Rio+20 Earth Summit in June 2012 and our own EEASA +30 conference in September 2012. The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development is characterised by a proliferation of education imperatives. These emerged as modern education in response to the issues of the day and now a modernity in deepening crisis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A short composition portfolio
- Authors: Buitendag, Kingsley Alexander
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Music -- South Africa Composition (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2632 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002297
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A South African response to ethics in legal education
- Authors: Kruuse, Helen
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54174 , vital:26399 , https://www.routledge.com/The-Ethics-Project-in-Legal-Education/Robertson-Corbin-Tranter-Bartlett/p/book/9780415546515
- Description: The contributions in this volume suggest that "the ethics project in legal education" is increasingly an international one. Even though the strength of commitment by both the profession and the legal academy to "ethics learning" within law schools varies, two fundamental questions confront all who work in this area. First, what is it that we want our students to learn (or, perhaps, in what manner do we want our students to develop) from the teaching of "legal ethics"? Second, how can we create a learning environment that will encourage the nature and quality of learning we think is important?.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011
A study of mathematics instructional practices in foundation phase grade three classrooms in East London
- Authors: Williams, Beverley Diana
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mathematics--Study and teaching (Primary) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85082164 , Mathematics--Study and teaching (Elementary) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85082163
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19585 , vital:43146
- Description: This study describes the instructional practices of grade three teachers in their attempt to facilitate mathematical learning. The teachers’ practices are described in relation to the requirements of the revised National Curriculum Statement. In order to demarcate the field of investigation, the researcher provides an overview of the historical background of the study and draws attention to the knowledge interest of the investigation. The problem, the research questions, the assumptions of the study, the significance of the study, the rationale and the delimitation of the study are all set out in this chapter. A list of the major terms used in the study is also given. In concluding the chapter and outline of the issues discussed in each of the five chapters is given. , Thesis (MEd) -- University of Fort Hare, 2011
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- Date Issued: 2011
A study of rural self-help groups in the context of government-assisted community development: the case of Peddie, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Authors: Pakade-Yokwana, Nozuko zandiswa Gloria
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85029215 , Rural development http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85115899
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19616 , vital:43152
- Description: This study was conducted against the backdrop of growing scholarly interest in the epistemic divide between formal, institutionalised knowledge, which guide government interventions in rural community development, and local knowledge, upon which rural communities construct their social existence. The study sought to understand why, despite their resilience and cultural embeddedness in South Africa's rural communities, indigenous self-help groups (SHGs) - as a particular form of indigenous rationality - remained on the periphery of contemporary community development interventions. The study was conducted in the communities of Dabhana, Feni and Mgwanlana in Peddie (Ngqushwa Local Municipality), Eastern Cape. Three SHG variants were eselected: a funeral group (Masingcwabane), an HIV and AIDS support groups, and a financial mutual (mgalelo) – all in the context of government-assisted community development. Empirical data was collected using a mini-survey, focus group discussion, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews. The findings revealed that SHGs were a collective model of indigenous knowledge and social interaction, driven by the belief that through 'sharing', 'reciprocity' and 'collectivism', what would ordinarily be a heavy burden for individuals became 'lighter'. Furthermore, while the institutional framework for community development mandated collaboration between government and SHGs, this framework created a stiff, bureaucratic canvass that alienated SHGs and stifled their operations. The study also found that partnership between the government and SHGs was characterised by fear and distrust on the part of government, and reluctance on the part of SHGs. Government's distrust was premised on the "informality" and "traditionality" of SHGs, and the fear that any investment in SHGs would go to waste. On the other hand, SHGs' reluctance to make themselves amenable to partnership with government seemed like a reaction to a "faulty, culturally insensitive" institutional framework which "delegitimised" grassroots development impulses. The study concluded that there existed in the rural community development arena an epistemic, ideational and practical chasm between government-driven development praxis and age-old indigenous initiatives, and that while the weaknesses of each knowledge domain were accentuated through this divide, development would continue to elude the grassroots communities unless the two knowledge domains interacted with, and leveraged, each other. , Thesis (PhD) (Sociology) -- University of Fort Hare, 2018
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- Date Issued: 2011
A white man in exile
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229459 , vital:49677 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2011.636974"
- Description: This article explores intersections between understandings of masculinity and nationalism. Etymologically, ‘patriotism’ refers to a love for a fatherland and a patriarchal order; it includes notions of loyalty, honour and a range of qualities often associated with conceptions of masculinity. But if gender remains fixed to these normative constructions, what happens to one’s sense of masculine identity when the national state changes? My interest lies in exploring how white South African men have been repositioned in terms of a shift in their gendered identification, with a reflection on the possibly tragic consequences of maintaining an overly rigid gender role identification. As long as masculinity is embedded within nationalism, it will be caught up within a defensive reactive mode which can turn self-destructive. In order to explore these ideas the article employs as its central metaphor the character of Dawid Olivier, who is the protagonist of Athol Fugard’s Sorrows and Rejoicings (2002).
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- Date Issued: 2011
A “place in which to cry”: the place for race and a home for shame in Zoë Wicomb's Playing in the Light
- Authors: Dass, Minesh
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142588 , vital:38093 , DOI: 10.1080/1013929X.2011.602910
- Description: In Zoë Wicomb's Playing in the Light, the main character's troubled sense of identity (brought about by her parents' shameful decision to ‘play white’) is viscerally symbolised by her discomfort in her own and others' homes. In her Cape Town apartment she has nightmares about other houses. Her visits to her family home, where her elderly father lives alone, are similarly burdened by presences and memories she finds unwelcoming. And, her extended vacation to the UK, once she has discovered her family's secret, is a choice of “a place in which to cry” (Wicomb 2006: 191).
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- Date Issued: 2011
Aardvark burrows: a potential resource for animals in arid and semi-arid environments
- Authors: Whittington-Jones, Gareth M , Bernard, Ric T F , Parker, Daniel M
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443852 , vital:74166 , https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407509
- Description: Arid and semi-arid environments are characterized by extreme fluctuations in temperature and low rainfall, which present significant challenges to the animals inhabiting these areas. However, the presence of burrows may allow animals to avoid climatic extremes and predators and may act as valuable foraging sites. We assessed the microhabitat conditions (maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity and seed abundance) of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) burrows in relation to paired non-burrow areas at three sites in South Africa. We also describe the extent to which they are used as resources by other vertebrates. Maximum temperatures were significantly lower and minimum temperatures and relative humidity values were significantly higher inside the burrows than outside. The concentration of seeds inside the burrows and at the paired non-burrow sites was similar. Twenty-seven vertebrate species (21 mammals, two birds, three reptiles and one amphibian) were recorded making use of the burrows and it is likely that these species accrue benefits (e.g. a buffered microclimate) from burrow use. However, our sampling was biased towards mammals and nocturnal species. Consequently, we recommend further work to establish the overall reliance of vertebrate taxa on aardvark burrows in arid and semi-arid environments.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Adoption, use and perception of Australian acacias around the world
- Authors: Kull, Christian A , Shackleton, Charlie M , Cunningham, Peter J , Ducatillon, Catherine , Dufour-Dror, Jean-Mark , Esler, Karen J , Friday, James B , Gouveia, António C , Griffin, A R , Marchante, Elizabete , Midgley, Steven J , Pauchard, Aníbal , Rangan, Haripriya , Richardson, David M , Rinaudo, Tony , Tassin, Jacques , Urgenson, Lauren S , van Maltitz, Graham P , Zenni, Rafael D , Zylstra, Matthew J
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182149 , vital:43804 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00783.x"
- Description: To examine the different uses and perceptions of introduced Australian acacias (wattles; Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae) by rural households and communities. Eighteen landscape-scale case studies around the world, in Vietnam, India, Réunion, Madagascar, South Africa, Congo, Niger, Ethiopia, Israel, France, Portugal, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic and Hawai‘i. Qualitative comparison of case studies, based on questionnaire sent to network of acacia researchers. Information based on individual knowledge of local experts, published and unpublished sources. We propose a conceptual model to explain current uses and perceptions of introduced acacias. It highlights historically and geographically contingent processes, including economic development, environmental discourses, political context, and local or regional needs. Four main groupings of case studies were united by similar patterns: (1) poor communities benefiting from targeted agroforestry projects; (2) places where residents, generally poor, take advantage of a valuable resource already present in their landscape via plantation and/or invasion; (3) regions of small and mid-scale tree farmers participating in the forestry industry; and (4) a number of high-income communities dealing with the legacies of former or niche use of introduced acacia in a context of increased concern over biodiversity and ecosystem services. Economic conditions play a key role shaping acacia use. Poorer communities rely strongly on acacias (often in, or escaped from, formal plantations) for household needs and, sometimes, for income. Middle-income regions more typically host private farm investments in acacia woodlots for commercialization. Efforts at control of invasive acacias must take care to not adversely impact poor dependent communities.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Advances in entomological methods for death time estimation
- Authors: Villet, Martin H , Amendt, Jens
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441722 , vital:73910 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-249-6_11
- Description: The development of entomological methods for estimating the time of death has been rapid in the last decade, and new methods are on the horizon. These developments are reviewed with specific reference to experimental design, established and new techniques, and mathematical modelling for forensic retrodiction. The techniques include the use of electron microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, and real-time PCR to estimate the age of immature insects found on corpses, based on their stage of development. Near-infrared spectrograph and pteridine fluorescence techniques can be applied to this task on adult insects. The use of ecological succession in the carrion insect community is also introduced briefly. Finally, the creation and uses of standard techniques in forensic entomology is discussed. We recommend that two steps in this standardisation process are that physiological and ecological studies should be reported in physiological time wherever this is appropriate, and that the type of post-mortem interval being estimated should be stipulated more explicitly than is currently common.
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- Date Issued: 2011