Death Investigations

Question 1

What is the Post-Mortrm Interval?

Answer 1

The time between death and finding a body

Question 2

Describe Algor Mortis

Answer 2

“The temperature of death”
Body temperature drops about 1 to 1.5 degrees per hour after death, until the body reaches environmental temperature

Question 3

Describe Livor Mortis

Answer 3

The colour of death
Once the heart stops beating, the blood settles in the areas closest to the ground
Begins 20 minutes to 3 hours after death and continues for up to 16 hours

Question 4

Rigor Mortis

Answer 4

The stiffness of death
Muscles and tissues shorten and stiffen
Occurs within the first 24 hours and disappears within 36 hours

Question 5

Forensic Entomology

Answer 5

By determining the oldest stage of fly found on a body, entomologists can approximate the post-mortem interval

Most common and important is blowfly

Question 6

Describe the Necrophage insects that feed on carrion

Answer 6

Feed on corpse tissue
Arrive first (often blowflys)
Have a life cycle

Question 7

Describe omnivores insects that feed on carrion

Answer 7

Feed on corpse tissue, and necrophage species
Large populations may slow decomposition
Order is beetles, ants/ wasps, spiders