Susquehanna Township High School

Forensic Science Class

Death Scene Investigation 2007

 

Death Scene Data Sheet Monday, May 21, 2007

Ambient Air Temperature 77.1 OF
Body Surface Temperature 117.8 OF
Under Body Temperature 71.4OF
Soil Temperature (4 cm depth) 91.4 OF
Maggot Mass Temperature No maggot mass at this time

     Observations:

    The Death Scene Investigation continued today with observations made by the Forensic Science Class period 10.  John R. ( J Rob) was our Crime Scene Photographer. 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 flipped over, numerous clumps of eggs where located under the body. It seems that 2 different species of flies have left there eggs in different locations on the deer corpse. 

    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 gone and rigor mortis is starting to be released . It was surprising not to find any larvae on the corpse. But with the large number of eggs we found today, they should be in full swing by tomorrow.

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.

Beetles were quickly collected from under the corpse.

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.

Crime Scene Photos by John R. !

 

 

 

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