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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the keys mentioned in the content?
What is the primary purpose of the keys mentioned in the content?
Which of the following sources provides a key that is specifically focused on eastern Canada?
Which of the following sources provides a key that is specifically focused on eastern Canada?
What must be done with the keys before using them for identifying specimens?
What must be done with the keys before using them for identifying specimens?
How many different keys are required to identify three blow flies in the lab?
How many different keys are required to identify three blow flies in the lab?
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Which citation is included for the 2019 article on blow flies of North America?
Which citation is included for the 2019 article on blow flies of North America?
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What is the significance of keeping track of the steps used for keying out specimens?
What is the significance of keeping track of the steps used for keying out specimens?
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What type of insects are primarily being identified using the keys?
What type of insects are primarily being identified using the keys?
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Which term is used to describe the citations found in the provided content?
Which term is used to describe the citations found in the provided content?
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Which family of insects is NOT mentioned as being relevant in the study of carrion ecology?
Which family of insects is NOT mentioned as being relevant in the study of carrion ecology?
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What is the primary focus of the research project that students are required to conduct?
What is the primary focus of the research project that students are required to conduct?
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What should be included in the introduction of the research project?
What should be included in the introduction of the research project?
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How many papers are students expected to cite in the introduction of their research project?
How many papers are students expected to cite in the introduction of their research project?
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What is a recommended topic for a research project involving carrion?
What is a recommended topic for a research project involving carrion?
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What is the purpose of the traps students must construct for their research project?
What is the purpose of the traps students must construct for their research project?
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What type of variability is important to consider when studying insects on a carcass?
What type of variability is important to consider when studying insects on a carcass?
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What aspect of maggots is mentioned as significant for understanding their role in decomposition?
What aspect of maggots is mentioned as significant for understanding their role in decomposition?
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What should you do when you encounter a figure with round sides?
What should you do when you encounter a figure with round sides?
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Which shape is identified when a figure has straight sides and 3 corners?
Which shape is identified when a figure has straight sides and 3 corners?
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What type of figure is described as being as tall as it is wide?
What type of figure is described as being as tall as it is wide?
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In the taxonomic identification of non-biting muscoid flies, which characteristic leads to identifying small, dark flies?
In the taxonomic identification of non-biting muscoid flies, which characteristic leads to identifying small, dark flies?
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What defines a figure that is wider than it is tall?
What defines a figure that is wider than it is tall?
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Which statement is true about flies that are blue, metallic green, or blue-green?
Which statement is true about flies that are blue, metallic green, or blue-green?
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Which of the following characteristics would you find in the identification key for medium-sized or large flies?
Which of the following characteristics would you find in the identification key for medium-sized or large flies?
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What does a bend of the fourth vein that is absent indicate?
What does a bend of the fourth vein that is absent indicate?
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What is the primary use of forensically relevant insects in investigations?
What is the primary use of forensically relevant insects in investigations?
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Which life stage of insects is primarily focused on obtaining food quickly?
Which life stage of insects is primarily focused on obtaining food quickly?
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Which of the following factors can influence the growth rate of maggots?
Which of the following factors can influence the growth rate of maggots?
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What characterizes the process of colonization of a carcass by insects?
What characterizes the process of colonization of a carcass by insects?
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Which intrinsic factor can affect the variability of insect colonization?
Which intrinsic factor can affect the variability of insect colonization?
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During which stage of decomposition do significant ecological changes occur?
During which stage of decomposition do significant ecological changes occur?
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What is the significance of finding the age of a maggot at a crime scene?
What is the significance of finding the age of a maggot at a crime scene?
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Which of these statements is true regarding the ecological significance of corpses?
Which of these statements is true regarding the ecological significance of corpses?
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Which aspect is NOT typically studied in forensic entomology?
Which aspect is NOT typically studied in forensic entomology?
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Forensic entomology can also be used to identify what aspect related to crimes?
Forensic entomology can also be used to identify what aspect related to crimes?
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What is the identity of the fly if the gena is yellow or orange and the anterior spiracle is pale?
What is the identity of the fly if the gena is yellow or orange and the anterior spiracle is pale?
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Which of the following statements is true if the lower calypter is bare and the wing vein R5 is ventrally haired beyond the node?
Which of the following statements is true if the lower calypter is bare and the wing vein R5 is ventrally haired beyond the node?
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What feature distinguishes Pollenia sp. from other flies discussed?
What feature distinguishes Pollenia sp. from other flies discussed?
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Which fly has a reddish bucca on the anterior half and yellow to yellow-orange basicosta?
Which fly has a reddish bucca on the anterior half and yellow to yellow-orange basicosta?
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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?
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?
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Which fly is identified by having an entirely black bucca and black basicosta?
Which fly is identified by having an entirely black bucca and black basicosta?
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If the thorax is dull and pruinose with a shining, usually metallic blue abdomen, what should be the next step in identification?
If the thorax is dull and pruinose with a shining, usually metallic blue abdomen, what should be the next step in identification?
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What is indicated by the presence of micropubescence only on the apical half of the subcostal sclerite?
What is indicated by the presence of micropubescence only on the apical half of the subcostal sclerite?
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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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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.
