Introduction to Forensic Acarology;
offering an insight into the biology of the Acari of forensic importance, how to collect acarological traces and taxonomic tools for identification
1 – 5 June 2026
School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
M Alejandra Perotti
tentative Programme
Arrival: Sunday, 31 May 2026
Day 1, Monday, 1 June
09:00 – 12:00 (w/coffee break)
Lectures: Introduction to Acarology: Part 1
What mites are
Adaptations and environments
Life styles
14:00 – 17:00
Practicals: Sampling, processing samples
Day 2, Tuesday, 2 June
09:00 – 12:00 (w/coffee break)
LL: Introduction to Acarology: Part 2
Diversity of mites
Soil mites
Taxonomy, Orders. IDs of taxa of main forensically important species
Mites and humans
14:00 – 17:00
PP: Preparing mites for ID, preparing tapes on noses for Demodex next day
Day 3, Wednesday, 3 June
09:00 – 12:00 (w/coffee break)
LL: Introduction to Forensic Acarology
Mites with or without corpses
Mites of stored products, as pests, …
Forensic ticks
14:00 – 17:00
PP: Microscopy, mites’ identification, if time allows: your own Demodex
Day 4, Thursday, 4 June
09:00 – 12:00 (w/coffee break)
LL: Introduction to Acarology: Part 3
Molecular acarology
14:00 – 17:00
PP: The mites from the socks: socks from a crime scene…
Day 5, Friday, 5 June
09:00 – 12:00 (w/coffee break)
LL: Forensic acarology, case-work (cases and potential cases)
14:00 – 16:00
Seminar: Working in groups… to be organised
16:00 – 17:00
PP: Surprise!
19:00
Workshop dinner
Departure: Saturday, 6 June
Logistics
