HOSA Forensic Science: Entomology

Entomolomotoxicology

The study of drugs, poisons, and metabolites found in insects

Bioaccumulation

The process of substances building up over time in an organism

Blow Flies (Diptera)

Flies that often are the first to arrive at a body after death

First Instar

First-stage fly larvae that cannot penetrate skin and must subsist on liquid protein

Frass

Insect Feces

Myasis

Infestation of living humans or other vertebrate animals with dipteran larvae

Puparial

A stage in the life cycle of an insect that follows the larval stage

Second Instar

Second-stage fly larvae resulting from molting of first-star larvae that can penetrate skin by using proteolytic enzymes and the rasping action of their mouth-parts

Third Instar

The third stage of maggot growth

Minimum Elapsed Time

Shortest amount of time that a person has been dead based on the etymological evidence

Within minutes of death

When will blow fly lay eggs on a cadaver the right temperature and appropriate time of day (sunlight)

Successive Colonization

The ever changing colonization of a cadaver by various insects as it decomposes

Orifices or wounds

Where will blow flies first lay their eggs on a cadaver?

DNA identification of victim

Possible uses for cadaver tissue found in the digestive organs of insects?