The study of maggots and insects on corpses helping to determine the cause of death.

The study of the process of rigour mortis helping to determine the time of death.

The study of maggots and insects on corpses, helping to determine the time of death.

Air, body and ground temperature

Maggot length

When and where the body was found

Its mass

Position of maggot on body

Identify age of maggots and calculate when eggs were laid.

Use length of maggot to identify when they were born.

Identify age of maggots and calculate how long it will take them to fully develop.

Search a database for a maggot that fits the description and use that to make estimations.

Look around scene for other similar maggots and allow use them to identify species.

Allow maggot to develop and pupate to identify normal length of time from egg laying to pupation.

Eggs might not have been laid as soon as person died.

Eggs could have been laid elsewhere and moved.

Underestimate

Overestimate.

Toxins

pH of soil

Light intensity

Season

Temperature

To feed on other insects on corpse

To find warmth and shelter

To feed on the decaying body

To hide away from predators

Life span of insects

Location of body

Size of body

Age of person who died

Clothing

Weather conditions

Season

Scientists can assume the body was kept indoors if there are lots of insects that usually like cold conditions.

Scientists can assume the body has been moved if there are no insects present.

If species are found on the body that would not normally occur in that location they can assume the body was moved.

The first species attracted to the body will usually remain there until late stages of decay.

The first insect species is not attracted to later stages of decomposition, whereas plants remain in the same place throughout all stages.

Insect succession is a much longer process than plant succession.

Viruses and fungi

Bacteria and fungi

Bacteria and viruses

They have a food source from the flesh of the body.

They have a food source from organic carbohydrates, proteins, fats & nucleic acids.

They use bodily fluids such as blood and mucus as a food source.

They use the CO2, released by photosynthesis, for respiration.

They're not

They release CO2 through aerobic and anaerobic respiration that is used by plants in photosynthesis.