Shoo Fly: post mortem interval using insects
by RYAN SCHEIDLER
1. Niche/habitat
1.1. Temperature needed to colonize
1.1.1. ADH-Accumulated degree hours is the average temp it takes for an insect species to develop to a given stage.
1.2. Moisture
1.3. Food source
1.4. Shade/sun
2. Considerations for Type of Insect
2.1. Stage of Development
2.2. Size-for length of time or exposure to toxins/drugs
2.3. Which insects have arrived?
2.4. Insects can be distinguished from one another from any point of their life cycle
3. What insects reveal
3.1. Geographic locale
3.2. link suspect to crime scene or victim
3.3. Was Body moved?
3.4. Presence of injury sites
3.5. Exposure to toxins or drugs
3.6. Clues to the post mortem interval
4. Carrion-eating arrivals
4.1. Blowflies
4.1.1. "Timekeepers"
4.1.2. Arrive first and lay eggs
4.1.3. Identify developmental stage and calculate time backwards
4.2. Beetles
4.2.1. Come after flies
4.2.2. lay eggs on corpse
4.2.3. Eat fly larvae
4.3. Wasps/ants
4.3.1. Eat larvae