Susquehanna Township High School

Forensic Science Class

Death Scene Investigation 2006

Death Scene Data Sheet Friday, May 19, 2006

Weather: Overcast, windy, chilly and rainy

Ambient Air Temperature	62.6 ^OF
Body Surface Temperature	74.4 ^OF
Under Body Temperature	73.8^OF
Soil Temperature (4 cm depth)	73.4^OF
Maggot Mass Temperature	98^OF

Observations:

The Death Scene Investigation began today with observations made by the Forensic Science Class period 6/7. The corpse has purged leaving only the skin and bones. When the purging occurs, the gases created by the bacteria present in the decomposition mix with blood to make the skin appear green and then black. The gases build up in the body (bloating) until the pressure gets so great that the gases and fluids leak out of the body or purge. Over the past two years, the investigators have noticed that the hair that was on the deer prior to purging , seem to "explode" away from the body and lay in a pile around the purged corpse. Since our classes only visit the death scene once a day over a 11 day period, none of us have actually witnessed this phenomenon first hand. Several investigators have suggested leaving a video camera set up to capture the event on film. During the investigation today , we also looked down at our feet to witness the migration of the prepuparia as they leave the corpse in search of a location in the soil to complete the Blow Fly life cycle. Once the prepuparia have burrowed into the soil, they create a hard case around their body (the puparia ) to undergo metamorphosis into the adult Blow Fly.

Prepuparia migrating away from the corpse.

Maggots on the Move Movie

When many parts of the decomposing body are disappearing , the teeth are still there to help identify the individual.

Third instar larvae are becoming a pearly white color, indication that they have stopped feeding and are ready to migrate.

The corpse is becoming mummified and skeletonized in the final stages of decomposition.

The hair is now in piles around the corpse.

A carrion beetle makes once last attempt to hunt for the larvae before they migrate.

Maggot masses are found between the toes of the deer. A last attempt by Blow Flies to complete their life cycle.

Crime Scene Photos by Anthony S.

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