General Terminology

The third of five stages of decomposition, in which insect activity at the body often causes gases to escape and the cadaver to lose its bloated shape. This stage is often associated with the strongest odours of decomposing remains.

The final of six stages of the blowfly life cycle, and the first stage of the blowflies to reach the cadaver. These blowflies are attracted to the odours generated in decaying cadavers.

The fourth of five stages of decomposition, in which most of the flesh has been removed but there is still some soft tissue present. In this stage the odour has diminished but is still apparent.

Microbes that can carry out their biological function even in the absence of oxygen in the air.

An organism with an exoskeleton that has a segmented body and paired  legs.

The second of five stages of decomposition, in which gases generated by the activity of anaerobic bacteria accumulate within the cadaver. In this stage decomposition is obvious visually and odours are noticeable.

A true fly in the family Calliphoridae and the most common insect observed and studied with cadavers in the field of forensic entomology. The blowfly life cycle consists of six stages: egg, three larvae stages, pupa, and adult.

Tough, smooth tissue that is found at the joints to cushion movement of adjacent bones.

An organism whose internal temperature varies with the environmental temperature. For example, insects are cold-blooded.

A device used to monitor and record the temperature at a scene. Typically it is used in forensic entomology to hourly record data for 3–5 days.

A biological process through which organic materials are broken down in nature.

The fifth and final stage of decomposition, where the remains consist of only cartilage, bone, exudate, and dry skin. In this stage, only a slight odour is apparent.

The first stage of an insect’s life cycle. Fertilized eggs may be found on a cadaver because adult female insects are attracted to the cadaver’s odour.

Pus-like clear fluid that escapes from the circulatory system and enters surrounding tissue when there is a cut or inflammation.

A study of using an insects’ or arthropods‘ life cycle and their succession in a legal context in civil or criminal cases.

The first of five stages of decomposition, which begins immediately after death and continues until the body becomes bloated. In this stage there is limited morphological evidence of decomposition, mainly chemical breakdown, and there is no odour obvious to humans.

A subset of arthropods with three body segments, an exoskeleton, and three pairs of legs.

A method of determining the post-mortem interval (PMI), utilized when the immature forms (eggs, larvae) of insects are still present in the cadavers.

A method that uses the different stages of decomposition and the knowledge of when different insect species arrive at the cadaver, as well as environmental factors, to estimate post-mortem interval (PMI).

The stage of an insect between the egg and pupa form, where the insect exists as an active yet immature organism that is very different from the adult form; blowfly larvae have three main phases called the first, second, and third instar larvae and it is the third form that are commonly known as maggots.

The various stages in the development of an organism. There are four main stages when considering the life cycles of insects in a forensic context: egg, larva, pupa, adult.

The final developed larval stage of the blowfly that no longer just feeds on fluids but has the ability to digest food, including soft cadaver tissues.

A biological process that allows the transformation of an organism from its birth form to adult form through rapid biological changes. Certain insects will often prepare a ‘hard’ shell to remain safe inside during this process.

This can also be referred to as the time since death. The time that has passed after the first eggs have been laid by the fertilized female adult blowfly.

The stage of life where an insect transforms from its immature form as a larva to its  adult form after metamorphosis.

A technique that uses data logger temperature and weather station temperature recordings to back-project and predict the temperature at the scene to determine PMI.

A component of the dry stage where little to no soft tissue is present on the remains.

Respiratory organs at the posterior of the maggot that appear as small holes.