Forensic Entomology Worksheet

NAME:	TEACHER:
Forensic Entomology Worksheet

1. How soon after death occurs, will a female blowfly lay eggs (oviposit) on a body?

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. List four environmental factors which can influence the length of this period?

________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________

3. A body is found in which rigor mortis is not observed. What do you conclude from this?

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. Why would an entomologist sample the soil under a body for insects?

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. If a forensic scientist suspects that the victim may have been poisoned but the tissue decay is advanced, what can they do to verify this suspicion?

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. Why would a forensic entomologist examine dead bugs collected on the front of a car which is suspected of being involved in a crime?

_____________________________________________________________________________

7. A homicide victim is found in a reserve along Enoggera Creek. Estimated PMI is 80 hours. Insect species (dead or alive) obtained from the corpse are:

A found throughout Australia in urban locations
B found in cool temperate climates or at altitude in other places
C found in sub-tropical regions of high humidity

A T-shirt stained with blood is tied around the victim's neck. It contains insect species:

D found in termites nests
E pollinates mallee scrub, exists in regions of low humidity.

The two suspects are:

A local jogging enthusiast who regularly runs through the creek route

An interstate truck driver, recently returned from NSW via Stanthorpe.

Write down some inferences from the facts, then try to deduce possible locations where the murder may have occurred and who you think is responsible.

_____________________________________________________________________________