How Blow Flies Compete (or Not) for Decomposition Duties
Forensic entomologists are familiar with a variety of blow fly species and the order in which they commonly arrive to a corpse. A new study illuminates the differences among three blow fly species and what drives the timing of their arrival and how they interact.
Advanced Mass Spectrometry Method Could Give Forensic Entomologists Faster Fly IDs
Identifying the species of blow flies that colonize a corpse is a critical step in forensic entomology investigations, but it typically requires rearing collected fly larvae to adults first. However, a new "real time" method for conducting mass spectrometry could allow maggot specimens to be analyzed and identified in a matter of minutes—even up to six species at a time from the same sample.
Why Forensic Entomologists Say Crime-Scene Investigators Should Carry Cans of Tuna
When fly larvae are collected from a corpse at a crime scene, they still need to eat so they can be raised to adulthood and identified to species. A new study says a simple can of tuna could be an easy and cost-effective solution for keeping the larvae alive until a forensic entomologist can conduct analysis.
The Flies and Beetles That Turn Death Into Dinner
Fourth in a series of posts on forensic entomology