Entomology Lab Reflection: Leiandra Wilson

Leiandra Wilson

                In Advanced Forensics my classmates and I became forensic entomologists. On September 8, 2014 we started our process. Our goal was to see entomology up close and personal and learn more about how it is used in forensics. We took a pork shoulder and put it outside of Tolman near the Blackstone River; it was covered to keep animals out. Over the few weeks we were able to see how the shoulder’s appearance changed, how it was decomposing, and what insects were present at different stages by using entomology; the use of insects to distinguish PMI.

                Each day we went outside to make observations we noticed changes to the meat. As soon as we placed the meat outside insects had already began to land on it. These insects included blowflies, wasps, blue bottle flies, hairy maggot flies, etc. We also found at dead rat at the scene and we believe it was headed for the shoulder. In our beginning days not much had changed, but more insects were present. On September 10, 2014 the skin of the meat was no longer visible and it was starting to decompose and areas of the shoulder were eaten. The insects were attracted to the wounds in the shoulder and maggot eggs were present. Sept. 14, 2014 marked the day of different odors. Seeing the shoulder had really began to decompose you could smell it. The color of the shoulder shrunk and had faded from pink, to red, to dark red, to black. By the 17^th of September, the only thing left of the shoulder was pretty much its bone. The insects had completely eaten away at the flesh. Maggots were found in each instar and then turned to pupa. Eventually the maggots had developed into adult flies and our experiment was over due to the fact there was nothing else for us to truly observe.

                In order to determine PMI (the time elapsed since the body has been dead to the time it has been found) we needed to collect data. We collected the temperatures from both the shoulder itself to the temperature of the environment we were in. Although PMI and ADH is calculated much more precise by true forensic entomologists we had enough information to get the job done. We compared the data we collected to the published data. Our results ended up being very similar to the published data. The PMI of our shoulder wasn’t very long ago based on our data which was accurate. The instar levels of our maggots proved this to be true. The number of spiracles showed that they weren’t there for very long. Our data was accurate because it was very comparable to the published data.

                Forensic Entomology is a very useful way to solve cases and it has been used to solve numerous famous cases in the world. This process allows you to observe the insects to figure out the time of death and how long ago a death occurred.  Cases that were never thought to be solved have been solved through forensic entomology. Our lab truly expressed how important insects are to solving crimes. Maggots are extremely important and useful when trying to get to the bottom of cases. I agree that bugs are nasty, but they are around the dead and will always leave evidence on bodies to help solve horrid cases. Forensic Entomology makes a difference in the world.