Forensic entomological decomposition
Have you ever heard the saying "time flies"? Well, when a bug lands on something dead, it marks time in a way that can help scientists figure out when the person or animal died. This is called forensic entomological decomposition!
When something dies, bugs such as flies and beetles are attracted to the smell and lay their eggs on the body. These eggs hatch into maggots, which eat the rotting flesh. As the maggots grow, they go through different stages of development, or "instars", which can be used to determine how long they have been feeding on the body.
Scientists can collect these bugs and analyze them to figure out when the person or animal died. They can look at the types of insects present, the stage of development, and even the temperature and environment around the body.
Forensic entomological decomposition is important because it can provide clues for investigators trying to solve crimes. By using bugs to determine how long ago someone died, investigators can narrow down the time frame and look for other evidence that could help them catch the person responsible.
When something dies, bugs such as flies and beetles are attracted to the smell and lay their eggs on the body. These eggs hatch into maggots, which eat the rotting flesh. As the maggots grow, they go through different stages of development, or "instars", which can be used to determine how long they have been feeding on the body.
Scientists can collect these bugs and analyze them to figure out when the person or animal died. They can look at the types of insects present, the stage of development, and even the temperature and environment around the body.
Forensic entomological decomposition is important because it can provide clues for investigators trying to solve crimes. By using bugs to determine how long ago someone died, investigators can narrow down the time frame and look for other evidence that could help them catch the person responsible.