Forensic Insects Riker Mount

Crime-scene science in the classroom.

• Specimens of insects used by forensic scientists
• Compare and contrast life cycles of insects that feed on dead tissue
• Fully labeled with life-stage timing

Insects can tell us a lot, if we just know how to listen. Forensic entomologists use the natural cycle of insect reproduction to determine time of death.  This display features the insects, and many of their life stages, that those scientists look to first when doing their job. Fully labeled specimens include the stages for blowfly development (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and carrion beetle development (egg, larva, adult) along with three other commonly-used forensic insects.