Forensic Entomology Flashcards
What are the four characteristics of arthropods?
- are invertebrates (no internal skeleton)
- have jointed appendages
- have an exoskeleton made of chitin
- have at least 6 legs
Describe the 3 types of forensic entomologists:
Urban:
Diagnose problems with infestations that occur in man made structures and landscape plants
Describe the 3 types of forensic entomologists:
Medicocriminal:
Deals with criminal investigations; helps determine the PMI (post mortem interval) and time since colonization; also deals with cases of abuse involving insects
Describe the 3 types of forensic entomologists:
Stored Product:
Deal with infestations that occur in the production and storage of “consumables” like food products and mass-produced items (like toilet paper).
Define the following:
Post mortem interval (PMI):
the time since death when the body was immediately accessible to insects when death occurred
Define the following:
Time Since Colonization:
Calculated when the body was NOT accessible to insects when death occurred. (think of a body kept in a freezer that is then later dumped in a forest environment)
Define the following:
Larvae (Maggot):
Worm like, wingless stage that hatches from an egg laid by an insect
Define the following:
Invertebrate:
A species that does not have an internal skeleton; has an exoskeleton made of chitin
Define the following:
Pupa:
Developmental stage between larvae (instars) and the adult insect
Define the following:
Molt:
How an invertebrate grows; sheds its exoskeleton between instars
Define the following:
Instar:
Stage of maggot/larvae development between molts
Define the following:
Ambient temperature:
The temperature of the immediate surroundings of the body
Define the following:
Oviposit:
How a female insect lays her eggs
Define the following:
Carrion:
Dead, decomposing flesh. Won’t be consumed by carnivores or blow flies. Preferred by carrion beetles
How many instars does the blow fly have?
3
