There are 5 clues a dead body can provide to determine the approximate time of death: 1. The extent of decomposition indicates if the body died recently or longer ago. 2. The extent of rigor mortis shows if the body is still stiff or has gone limp. 3. The body's temperature reveals if it has had time to cool to ambient temperature. 4. Entomology examines which insect larvae are present and at what development stage to estimate time. 5. Succession of insect species that feed on a decomposing body also informs time estimates.

1. How to determine the time of death

2. What clues does a dead body leave behind? (there are 5 types)

3. Died a while ago Died recently 1. Extent of decomposition

4. 2. Extent of rigor mortis Bodies go stiff… … and then go floppy

5. 3. Temperature It takes… … to go cold

6. 4. Entomology Which insects (usually fly larvae) are living in the dead tissue What stage of development have they reached

7. 5. Succession on corpses

8. Calliphora vicina Lucilia sericata Musca autumnalis Sarcophaga carnaria Dermestes maculatus Piophila sp Insect species succession on a decomposing human body