Forensic Entomology Flashcard

Front

What is forensic entomology?

Back

The study of insects and their developmental stages to estimate the time of death in a legal context.

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What is carrion?

Back

Another word for a dead body, often used in the context of decomposition.

Front

What is the post-mortem interval (PMI)?

Back

The time that has elapsed since a person has died.

Front

Which insects are typically the first to arrive at a decomposing body?

Back

Blow flies.

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What is the role of temperature in insect growth?

Back

Temperature affects the rate of development of insects, which can be used to estimate PMI.

Front

What is insect succession?

Back

The predictable sequence of insect species that colonize a decomposing body over time.

Front

What is a blow fly?

Back

A type of fly that is commonly associated with the early stages of decomposition.

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What is a rove beetle?

Back

A type of beetle that is often found in decaying organic matter.

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What is a skin beetle?

Back

A beetle that feeds on the skin and tissues of decomposing bodies.

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What is the significance of larval development in forensic entomology?

Back

The growth stages of larvae can help estimate the time of death.