Forensic Entomology questions with verified
answers
3 most important environment factors in corpse decay: Ans✓✓✓
temperature - access by insects - depth of burial
Active Decay stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ All instars of fly larvae present
- everywhere • liquefaction of tissues • very strong, putrid odor of
decay • evidence of black putrefaction • Skin begin to separate from
bone at extremities • get first migration of postfeeding larvae and
increased deflation • Late stage, first blowfly pupae.
Advanced Decay stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ • Increased removal of
flesh - at extremities and in abdominal region first • Increased bone
exposure • Moderate odor with a characteristic organ smell •
Dehydration of remaining tissues increasing • First fly blowfly
emergence occurs in this stage.
Bloating stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ accumulation of gases - beginning
in the abdominal region • discoloration or marbling of skin • increased
odor of decay • 1st and 2nd instar fly larvae readily visible - in body
orifices and wounds
Blow flies (Calliphoridae) Ans✓✓✓ • Green bottle flies • Blue bottle
flies
, Blowfly 1st instar to 2nd takes Ans✓✓✓ 28 hours
Blowfly 2nd instar to 3rd takes Ans✓✓✓ 26 hours
Blowfly 3rd instar to prepupal takes Ans✓✓✓ 132 hours
Blowfly eggs to 1st instar takes Ans✓✓✓ 23 hours
Blowfly life cycle Ans✓✓✓ 1. egg 2. 1st instar 3. 2nd instar 4. 3rd instar
5. Prepupal stage-wandering 6. pupa 7. fly
Blowfly Pupa to fly takes Ans✓✓✓ 143 hours
Case where bugs were used to determine drug related crime Ans✓✓✓
1982 Auckland, NZ • 3 suspects arrested. Linked to S.E. Asia crime ring.
DD accumulation is calculated by Ans✓✓✓ Max temp plus Minimum
temp divided by 2 then minus Lower Threshold
Degree days is calculated by the formula Ans✓✓✓ # of days x (Avg.
Temp - Lower threshold)
answers
3 most important environment factors in corpse decay: Ans✓✓✓
temperature - access by insects - depth of burial
Active Decay stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ All instars of fly larvae present
- everywhere • liquefaction of tissues • very strong, putrid odor of
decay • evidence of black putrefaction • Skin begin to separate from
bone at extremities • get first migration of postfeeding larvae and
increased deflation • Late stage, first blowfly pupae.
Advanced Decay stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ • Increased removal of
flesh - at extremities and in abdominal region first • Increased bone
exposure • Moderate odor with a characteristic organ smell •
Dehydration of remaining tissues increasing • First fly blowfly
emergence occurs in this stage.
Bloating stage of decomp Ans✓✓✓ accumulation of gases - beginning
in the abdominal region • discoloration or marbling of skin • increased
odor of decay • 1st and 2nd instar fly larvae readily visible - in body
orifices and wounds
Blow flies (Calliphoridae) Ans✓✓✓ • Green bottle flies • Blue bottle
flies
, Blowfly 1st instar to 2nd takes Ans✓✓✓ 28 hours
Blowfly 2nd instar to 3rd takes Ans✓✓✓ 26 hours
Blowfly 3rd instar to prepupal takes Ans✓✓✓ 132 hours
Blowfly eggs to 1st instar takes Ans✓✓✓ 23 hours
Blowfly life cycle Ans✓✓✓ 1. egg 2. 1st instar 3. 2nd instar 4. 3rd instar
5. Prepupal stage-wandering 6. pupa 7. fly
Blowfly Pupa to fly takes Ans✓✓✓ 143 hours
Case where bugs were used to determine drug related crime Ans✓✓✓
1982 Auckland, NZ • 3 suspects arrested. Linked to S.E. Asia crime ring.
DD accumulation is calculated by Ans✓✓✓ Max temp plus Minimum
temp divided by 2 then minus Lower Threshold
Degree days is calculated by the formula Ans✓✓✓ # of days x (Avg.
Temp - Lower threshold)
