Early Observational Data on Arthropods Associated with Decomposition in the Pacific Northwest
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Falconer, Brittany
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Abstract
Forensic Entomology plays an important role within the field of medicolegal death investigations. By studying the presence of certain arthropod species, scientists are able to provide an estimate of post-mortem interval (PMI), or how long an individual has been deceased, for a set of remains in question. This estimate of PMI is based on a known set
of growth, development, and succession patterns for necrophagous and predatory arthropods that are associated with remains. Though forensic entomology provides important information for forensic investigators, there are a multitude of factors that can affect succession patterns. Geographic location and temperature are two big factors that can influence how arthropods behave. In a separate research project studying winter decomposition rates using pig heads, insect activity appeared to contradict previously known arthropod succession rates and temperature thresholds. Arthropods exhibit a lower thermal limit, sometimes called a critical thermal minimum, which affects their activity in lower temperatures. Within the research site, maggot activity was present throughout the cold winter temperatures, many days
well below freezing. Additionally, female flies needing to lay eggs tend to appear on decomposing remains first, then necrophagous and predatory beetles follow after. The first arthropods observed on the remains were beetles, contradictory to previous observations. Geographic location also influences the behavior of certain species of arthropods and could affect how the arthropods within the research site were behaving.
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Single page poster
Keywords
Forensic anthropology, Death investigation, Preliminary data