This first chapter of the book, “Forensic Entomology,” is an introduction to Chapters 2 through 6, which concern the history and activities of workers in forensic entomology in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Although these regions cover a part of the world that is exceptionally varied both ecologically and culturally, there are also certain underlying evolutionary affinities that unite them. The introductory chapter highlights the main themes that have been dealt with in these chapters. China, the topic of Chapter 2, is notable in that it can be considered the “birthplace” of forensic entomology, given that the earliest known documentation of flies (Diptera) being used to solve crimes comes from the Far East (Giles 1924). It is therefore appropriate that China be the first country in this book to have its achievements in forensic entomology addressed. (publisher abstract modified)