Fabian has noted that maggots on a body have started to hatch. Based on this information, how long would Fabian assume the body has been in place?
A.
2 to 3 hours
B.
1 day
C.
5 days
D.
7 days
D. 7 days
Why are adult maggots typically collected from the crime scene first?
A.
They have the ability to move off the remains when disturbed.
B.
They provide the most valuable information related to PMI.
C.
They need to be stored in containers, due to their size.
D.
They may die when the human remains are removed.
A. They have the ability to move off the remains when disturbed.
Amanda has noticed that mites are present on the human flesh she is investigating. Which insect can Amanda assume were therefore MOST likely on the flesh previously?
A.
coffin flies
B.
ants
C.
wasps
D.
beetles
D. beetles
To estimate the time since a body has been in place based on the presence of maggots, Fabian would need to consider the life cycle of flies that lay eggs on corpses. This process is called forensic entomology.
Maggots typically hatch from eggs laid by flies, and their development depends on temperature and environmental conditions. The lifecycle of blowflies, one of the most common types of flies associated with human remains, goes through several stages:
1. Egg: The eggs are laid by flies on the body or in the surrounding area.
2. Larval stage: The eggs hatch, and the maggots start feeding on the decomposing flesh.
3. Pupal stage: The maggots enter a stage called the pupal stage, during which they transform into pupae.
4. Adult fly: The pupae eventually transform into adult flies, which can then lay eggs on new food sources.
Based on this information, to estimate the time since the maggots have hatched, Fabian would need to determine the stage of development of the maggots. Each stage takes a specific amount of time, typically influenced by temperature. However, without specific details about the stage of development and the environmental conditions, it is difficult to make an accurate estimation.
Given the options provided:
A. 2 to 3 hours: This timeframe is unlikely for maggots to hatch and grow significantly.
B. 1 day: It is possible that maggots could have hatched within this timeframe, but they may not have developed significantly.
C. 5 days: By this time, maggots would have likely gone through several stages and would be larger in size.
D. 7 days: This increased timeframe would allow for significant growth and development of maggots, making it a likely estimate.
Therefore, if Fabian has noted that the maggots have started to hatch, option D, 7 days, would be a reasonable assumption for how long the body has been in place. However, it is important to note that this is a rough estimation and other factors like temperature and environmental conditions can affect the acceleration or deceleration of maggot development. To obtain a more precise estimate, an expert in forensic entomology would need to be consulted.