Chapter 11: Forensic Entomology

Number of hours it takes for an insect species to develop to a given stage

• accumulated degree hours (ADH)

• insect succession

• instar

• complete metamorphosis

What is insect succession?

• The sequence in which an egg becomes an adult fly.

• A sequence of changing species that inhabit a decomposing body.

• The depositing of eggs.

• When the alpha fly is overthrown by his son.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

Body development in 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, & adult.

• complete metamorphosis

• grub

• oviposition

• spiracles

Match the following stages of decomposition and their characteristics:

• An organism starting to dry out

• Bloated (Putrefication)

• mostly bones remain

• Fresh

• Strong odors; many insects present

• Active Decay

• Gas build up, odors emit

• Advanced Decay

• warm, newly dead body

• Dry; Skeletal

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Match the following insects and what stage of decomposition they are present in:

• Advanced

• American Carrion Beetle

• Early to advanced stage

• Hide Beetle

• Fresh to advanced

• Clown Beetle

• Early stage

• Sexton Beetle

What is postmortem interval (PMI)?

• The postmortem interval is the time taken for a body to decompose.
• PMI refers to the time of a person's last meal before death.
• Postmortem interval is the duration of a funeral service.
• Postmortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since death.

What is forensic entomology?

• Forensic entomology is the application of insect biology to criminal investigations, particularly to estimate time of death.
• The analysis of insect behavior in laboratories
• The use of insects in pest control
• The study of insects in agriculture

What is the role of insects in determining the time of death in forensic investigations?

• Insects can provide clues about the environment of the crime scene.

• Insects help in identifying the victim.

• Insects are used to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI).

• Insects are irrelevant to forensic investigations.

Which stage of insect development is crucial for estimating the time since death?

• Egg

• Larva

• Pupa

• Adult

What is the significance of accumulated degree hours (ADH) in forensic entomology?

• ADH is used to measure the growth rate of plants.

• ADH helps in determining the developmental stage of insects.

• ADH is a method to calculate the age of a skeleton.

• ADH is used to track weather patterns.