Chapter 31.4, Problem 1QTC

Summary Introduction

To state:

If the forensic entomologist could know about the time of death when hatching of eggs and the growth rate of blowfly larvae depend on temperature.

Introduction:

Forensic entomologists work on the determination of post-mortem interval or the time between the deaths of corpses. Flies are categorized into two families blowflies, which is Calliphoridae and another one is flesh flies belonging to the family Sarcophagidae. These are first insects which arrive on the corpse where their larvae feed and breed effectively. Blowfly is among the most common species which arrives within 10 minutes on the body. However, the development of immature insects or larvae of blowflies depends on the temperature. In that case, the forensic entomologist determines the time of death by calculating the thermal time taken to reach each developmental event.