Using entomology to determine time of death
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Authors
Evans, Jalene
Issue Date
2007
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic science
Alternative Title
Abstract
In order for the body to be identified or the suspect to by arrested, the time of death needs to be determined with the most accurate technique possible. There are several techniques currently used in determining the time of death. One technique is rigor mortis which has to do with the stiffening of the muscles: another is livor mortis which is when the blood settles in the body; algor mortis which is the cooling of the body temperature; the use of stomach contents to determine the persons last meal; and finally entomology which is the use of insects and their life cycles to determine time of death. This research will be conducted to prove that entomology is the most effective technique in determining time of death.
The results of the research proved that no one technique is more reliable than the other unless in the most perfect of conditions. Often, more than one technique will be used in conjunction with others to estimate time of death.