Insect Evidence in Criminal Investigations

In 2003, Vincent Brothers claimed he was in Ohio when his family was murdered in Bakersfield, California. Detective Watts, skeptical of Brothers' alibi, enlisted entomologist Dr. Lynn Kimsey to analyze insects from the radiator of Brothers' rental car. Despite the car being washed, Kimsey found a variety of insects, including the red shanked grasshopper, which is not native to Ohio but found in Western regions. This discovery contradicted Brothers' claim, suggesting he traveled outside Ohio, thus implicating him in the crime.

What was Vincent Brothers' claim regarding his location during the crime?

• He was in Ohio.

• He was in California.

• He was in Texas.

• He was in Oklahoma.

Who did Detective Watts consult to help with the investigation?

• A chemist

• A botanist

• An entomologist

• A forensic scientist

What was the initial challenge Dr. Kimsey faced with the car radiator?

• Determining the car's speed

• Locating the car's owner

• Finding intact insect specimens

• Identifying the car model

Approximately how many known insect species are there in the United States?

• 300,000

• 50,000

• 100,000

• 200,000

What is the purpose of the Smithsonian Institution's National Insect Collection?

• To sell insect specimens

• To breed endangered insect species

• To display insects for public viewing

• To compare insects to known species and provide geographical data

What type of insect did Dr. Kimsey find that was significant to the case?

• A honeybee

• A house fly

• A butterfly

• A red shanked grasshopper

Why was the red shanked grasshopper significant in the investigation?

• It is commonly found in rental cars.

• It is found in Western regions like Oklahoma and North Texas.

• It is native to Ohio.

• It is a rare species.

What did the presence of the red shanked grasshopper in the car suggest?

• The car had been to Western regions.

• The car had been to Florida.

• The car had been to Ohio.

• The car had been to Canada.

What was the outcome of the insect analysis in the investigation?

• It confirmed Vincent Brothers' alibi.

• It disproved Vincent Brothers' alibi.

• It had no impact on the case.

• It led to the discovery of a new insect species.

What was the main role of Dr. Kimsey in the investigation?

• To identify insect species and their origins

• To interview witnesses

• To provide legal advice

• To analyze DNA evidence