Susquehanna Township High School

Forensic Science Class

Death Scene Investigation 2008

Death Scene Data Sheet Tues., May 13, 2008

Temperature at the Death Scene	AM	PM
Ambient Air Temperature	74.0 ^OF	65.2^OF
Body Surface Temperature	90.1 ^OF	104^OF
Under Body Temperature	57.9^OF	60.0^OF
Soil Temperature (4 cm depth)	60.6 ^OF	67.2^OF
Maggot Mass Temperature	No maggot mass at this time	No maggot mass at this time

Observations:

The Death Scene Investigation started today with observations made by the Forensic Science Class period 3 and 9. Shayla M. and Marcus R. were our Crime Scene Photographers. The body was covered in what looked like a black powder, which upon closer observation, turned out to be fly eggs. When the body was being visited by adult blow flies.

The body has moved into the bloat stage of decomposition. The odor near the deer along with the distended abdomen are good indicators of this transition. The eyes were cloudy and rigor mortis is starting to be released .

The gapping wound on the hind quarter is receiving the most attention from the blow flies.

The bloated abdomen is an indicator of this stage of decomposition.

An investigator checks the status of the rigor mortis in the limbs of the corpse.

Most of the investigators kept a safe distance from the death scene.

Other investigators were willing to get into the thick of things to collect insect evidence.

Ocular indicator: cloudy eyes

Temperatures will be collected from the scene on a daily basis. Since the deer has entered the bloat stage of decomposition, a strong order is evident at the scene.

Female blow flies searching out the prime ovipositions for their eggs.

Investigators use insect nets to collect adult flies from the scene.

Go to Day 3 of the investigation

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