Forensic Science: Chapter 13 Entomology

arthropods

insects with a hard, outer body casing and jointed legs

necrophagous

feeding on carrion

postmortem interval

the time elapsed since a person has died

Glaister Equation

A formula used for determining the approximate time period since death based on body temperature

adipocere

Also called "grave wax"--the fatty acids left as a residue from fats from decomposing cadavers

saponification

As related to decomposition, the conversion of fatty tissues of the body into a soapy waxy substance called adipocere or grave wax.

diagenesis

The breakdown and crystallization of bone in the last stage of death

metamorphosis

a change in the body of an insect

entomologist

a person who studies insects

autolysis

a process by which a biological cell self-destructs

livor mortis

a purple or red discoloration of the skin caused by the pooling of blood after death

rigor mortis

a stiffness in muscles that occurs shortly after death

oviposition

depositing, or laying, of eggs

carrion

the carcass of a dead and decaying animal

algor mortis

the cooling of body temperature after death

putrefaction

the decomposition of animal proteins, especially by anaerobic microorganisms

taxonomy

the naming and classifying of organisms

entomology

the scientific study of insects