1. Insects & Death Determining time of death through forensic entomology

2. Stages of Death Initial Decay Putrefaction Black Putrefaction Butyric Fermentation Dry Decay

3. Initial Decay 0-3 days after death Body appears fresh Bacteria inside the intestines begin to feed on the intestines The body’s own digestive enzymes begin to break down organs Insects arrive

4. Putrefaction 4-10 days after death Bacteria break down tissues and cells, releasing fluid into the body cavities Bacteria also produce gas as waste product People find the gases foul smelling but odor attracts insects

5. Black Putrefaction 10 – 20 days after death The bloated body collapses and large volumes of fluid leak out, attracting more insects Flesh takes on creamy consistency and exposed flesh turns black Insects and bacteria continue to eat the flesh

6. Butyric Fermentation 20-50 days after death The remaining flesh is removed and dries out, body produces butyric acid Part of body in contact with the ground becomes moldy The cheese fly consumes any moist flesh as beetles feed on skin and ligaments

7. Dry Decay 50-365 days after death The body is now dry and decays very slowly Eventually the hair disappears and leaves only the bone