Maggots and forensic science

[amfarnham]

What is the opinion of a study of Maggots , looking at how far the travel on different surfaces?
Variables?
worth doing?

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

Here are a few resources on the use of maggots in forensic science:

http://www.crimeandclues.com/index.php/ ... stigations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_entomology

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/files ... s-3042.pdf

http://www.sfu.ca/~ganderso/forensicentomology.htm

http://users.usachoice.net/~swb/forensics/BF.htm

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/ ... 6.full.pdf

Unfortunately I have not found studies of maggot mobility, except comments that they can move twenty to thirty feet away from a body on which they hatched. I suspect that mobility varies a great deal by instar, temperature, and probably a number of other variables which may be difficult to isolate, and the time in each instar stage of development is not long. Is it worthwhile to study their mobility on different surfaces? That is hard for me to answer. Why do you think the answer is important? Are you fascinated by the question? Can you propose a executable experiment to definitively answer the question you are asking? If you can answer all these questions affirmatively, then the answer is probably yes. In your shoes I think I woule seek out a local forensic entomologist for a mentor and discuss the issue with him/her.

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson