Forensic Entomology and Insect Succession
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Forensic Entomology and Insect Succession

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the keys mentioned in the content?

  • To identify different species of birds.
  • To categorize various genera of insects.
  • To identify blow flies to species. (correct)
  • To provide academic references for research.

    • Which of the following sources provides a key that is specifically focused on eastern Canada?

  • Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification No. 11 (correct)
  • Key No. 39
  • Terry Whitworth’s article
  • Bird Blow Fly site

    • What must be done with the keys before using them for identifying specimens?

  • They must be summarized in a report.
  • They must be printed out in color.
  • They must be reviewed with a group.
  • They must be downloaded as PDFs. (correct)

    • How many different keys are required to identify three blow flies in the lab?

    <p>Three different keys must be used, one for each specimen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which citation is included for the 2019 article on blow flies of North America?

    <p>Jones, N., Whitworth, T., &amp; Marshall, S.A. 2019.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of keeping track of the steps used for keying out specimens?

    <p>To allow another researcher to correct any mistakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of insects are primarily being identified using the keys?

    <p>Blow flies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term is used to describe the citations found in the provided content?

    <p>In-text citations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which family of insects is NOT mentioned as being relevant in the study of carrion ecology?

    <p>Culicidae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the research project that students are required to conduct?

    <p>The behavior of insects at carrion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be included in the introduction of the research project?

    <p>The scientific background and existing literature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many papers are students expected to cite in the introduction of their research project?

    <p>8 to 10</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a recommended topic for a research project involving carrion?

    <p>Blow fly attraction to various types of carrion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the traps students must construct for their research project?

    <p>To deploy dead animals as an attraction for studying insect behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of variability is important to consider when studying insects on a carcass?

    <p>Geographic and temporal variability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of maggots is mentioned as significant for understanding their role in decomposition?

    <p>Maggot morphology and habitat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should you do when you encounter a figure with round sides?

    <p>Proceed to step 3 directly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which shape is identified when a figure has straight sides and 3 corners?

    <p>Triangle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of figure is described as being as tall as it is wide?

    <p>Circle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the taxonomic identification of non-biting muscoid flies, which characteristic leads to identifying small, dark flies?

    <p>Curved hind tibiae with notable spur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a figure that is wider than it is tall?

    <p>Ellipse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true about flies that are blue, metallic green, or blue-green?

    <p>They move to step 3 of identification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characteristics would you find in the identification key for medium-sized or large flies?

    <p>Move to step 2 for identification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a bend of the fourth vein that is absent indicate?

    <p>It leads to the identification of Hippelates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary use of forensically relevant insects in investigations?

    <p>To estimate the Post Mortem Interval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which life stage of insects is primarily focused on obtaining food quickly?

    <p>Maggots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors can influence the growth rate of maggots?

    <p>Temperature of the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the process of colonization of a carcass by insects?

    <p>It is gradual with overlapping life stages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which intrinsic factor can affect the variability of insect colonization?

    <p>Size of the corpse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which stage of decomposition do significant ecological changes occur?

    <p>Active decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of finding the age of a maggot at a crime scene?

    <p>It can provide information on the time since death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements is true regarding the ecological significance of corpses?

    <p>Corpses are randomly made available in the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is NOT typically studied in forensic entomology?

    <p>Color variations in insect larvae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Forensic entomology can also be used to identify what aspect related to crimes?

    <p>Presence of illicit drugs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the identity of the fly if the gena is yellow or orange and the anterior spiracle is pale?

    <p>Cochliomyia macellaria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true if the lower calypter is bare and the wing vein R5 is ventrally haired beyond the node?

    <p>The identity is Calliphora vomitoria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature distinguishes Pollenia sp. from other flies discussed?

    <p>Presence of bright curly yellow setae on the sides of pleuron.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which fly has a reddish bucca on the anterior half and yellow to yellow-orange basicosta?

    <p>Calliphora vicina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the identity of the fly if the subcostal sclerite has conspicuous black hairs on the apical half of the ventral base of the wing?

    <p>Lucilia illustris</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which fly is identified by having an entirely black bucca and black basicosta?

    <p>Calliphora vomitoria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the thorax is dull and pruinose with a shining, usually metallic blue abdomen, what should be the next step in identification?

    <p>Move to identity of Calliphora vicina.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the presence of micropubescence only on the apical half of the subcostal sclerite?

    <p>Proceed to step 8 in the identification process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Forensic Entomology

    • Identifying time and place of death is the primary use in post-mortem intervals for homicide victims
    • Also used for illegal drugs, food poisoning, identifying other materials
    • Insects are used to gain information about the timeline after death, including the location of colonization
    • The timeline: death, stages of putrefaction, stages of mummification, colonization, growth of larvae, pupae, adults emerge
    • Forensic entomology uses insects to identify the time of death and the location of an event
    • The theoretical model of insect succession on a corpse is used to infer the information
    • These changes indicate the age of maggots, which is used to determine the time of death

    Insect Succession Variability

    • Intrinsic factors, such as early, optimal, and late colonizers, the distance to nearest corpse, the number of colonizers available, and intraspecific competition, play a role in insect succession
    • Extrinsic factors such as, moisture, presence of sun vs shade, the species present, the distance to nearest corpse, the commonness or rarity of other corpses, predators, parasites, and diseases also influence succession
    • Variability associated with the carcass such as size of the corpse, presence of drugs, food, health of the individual, amount of fat vs lean meat, order of organs colonized, order of utilization, exposure of interior organs and body cavity, and access to the carcass, all contribute to insect succession

    Fly Anatomy and Identification

    • The identification key helps determine species by leading you through a series of questions about anatomical features of an insect
    • Use the key, and follow the steps to identify the specific genus or species
    • The first step is to analyze the general shape of the insect

    Blowflies

    • Blowflies are forensically useful for determining PMI (Post Mortem Interval), as they are attracted to carrion
    • Blowfly species are often used to estimate the PMI
    • Specific species thrive in different habitats and climates, impacting the timing and duration of insect succession

    Taxonomic Identification Key

    • It is important to follow the key step-by-step, and review each step carefully
    • Note down your observations and decisions so that research can be verified and corrected if mistakes are made
    • If you encounter an insect that does not fit the key, it is important to note the reason for the disagreement and seek further identification
    • The identification key guides you through a series of questions regarding the insect's morphology to help you identify the species

    Forensic Entomology Research

    • Research projects in forensic entomology can involve various areas of study such as blowfly attraction to different carrion, observer influence on blowfly behavior, burying beetles and trap height, trap design, urban and rural habitats, surveys of forensic insects found near carrion, and more.

    Research Project Design

    • Students are expected to design and conduct their own research projects, including:
      • The relevance of the project
      • Appropriate methods
      • Experimental design
    • Students need to choose a topic that is relevant to forensic entomology and obtain approval from the instructor.
    • Students are responsible for supplying and constructing any traps or equipment needed for their projects.

    Research Project Outline

    • The introduction should include:
      • The research topic
      • The scientific background
      • A review of relevant literature
      • The theory behind the research project
    • Materials and methods should include:
      • Descriptions of the animals collected
      • Collection methods
      • Data analysis and statistical methods used
    • The Results section should present the findings of the research in a comprehensive and clear manner, including figures and tables to support the findings.
    • The Discussion section should:
      • Discuss key findings and their significance in relation to other research and current knowledge.
      • Discuss the project limitations and suggest future research avenues related to the findings.
    • All references used in the report should be cited in the text and listed in a separate section.

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    Related Documents

    Forensic Entomology BIOL-3330H Trent University PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the principles of forensic entomology, focusing on how insects are used to determine post-mortem intervals and locations of death. It covers the theoretical model of insect succession on corpses and discusses intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting insect colonization. Test your knowledge of how entomological evidence can unveil crucial details in homicide investigations.

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