What's Eating You? Forensic Entomology

Overview

Objectives/Goals The purpose of this project was to determine how long a corpse has been somewhere, depending on the life spans of the insects on the body. Methods/Materials Two cans of Kal Kan cat food were used, in place of a corpse, and were put into to two separate Tupperware containers. One was put in the sun and one was in a box for shade. For the next seven days, both of the containers of meat were checked on every day for maggots and flies. Two pictures of each were taken, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and weather reports were written down. Once the seven days ended, the data relating to the meat in the sun and the meat in the shade was graphed and compared. Results The results of the project showed that insects develop more successfully in shade than in sun, but the climate still has to be warm, rather than cool. Conclusions/Discussion In the beginning of testing, the climate was very moist and cool, which prevented any bugs from developing on the meat. But, after the third day, the climate warmed up from at least sixty degrees to at least eighty degrees, and insects were automatically attracted. Despite the warm weather, the insects still developed faster and more successfully on the shaded meat. Therefore, the hypothesis was correct because it said that the insects would be affected depending on the climate and the temperature and whether the meat was in sun or shade.

Competition history

• CSEF 2003 Zoology · Entry J1921

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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