Forensics Students Examine Forensic Entomology

K. Marrinan, V. Mroz and K. Toal have begun an independent inquiry to study Forensic Entomology. They are planning to examine the insect fauna on meat samples they have placed outside overnight. After initially leaving the meat partially uncovered giving insects access, they will cover the meat and exam the growth of insects. The meat is being used to represent how insects are involved in the decomposition and decay of a human corpse if left out in the environment.The students used two different types of meat, beef liver and beef heart.

Notice the "white" eggs deposited on this piece of beef heart.

Fly examining this sample of beef heart

Flies and a cricket visiting this sample of beef liver.

Here the white material looks to be newly laid flesh fly maggots. The flesh fly is an oviviviparous layer, meaning its eggs hatch within the female's body, and living maggots are laid on their food source.

A yellow jacket is examining the beef liver.

Fly leaving the beef liver, savoring its "tastes" and cleaning its sensors on it first pair of legs

A metallic green blow fly visits the beef liver. This species of fly is oviparous, meaning it lays only unhatched eggs.