Forensic Entomology and Decomposition Sequence MCQs

Forensic Medicine · 17 free questions with answers & explanations.

1. A body is found outdoors in summer with masses of third-instar blowfly larvae (Calliphora species) present. Knowing that egg-to-third-instar development takes approximately 72–96 hours under local temperature conditions, what is the MINIMUM postmortem interval?
2. Which of the following insects colonises a corpse in the LAST wave of decomposition, appearing during the dry/skeletal stage and feeding on keratin, hair, and dried skin?
3. Adipocere formation in a body submerged in water preferentially involves which biochemical process?
4. A body found outdoors has extensive blowfly larval activity. To estimate postmortem interval using forensic entomology, the most reliable primary method is:
5. Which blowfly genus is the primary coloniser of human remains in tropical Indian conditions, arriving within minutes to hours of death, and is most important for early PMI estimation?
6. The five classical stages of outdoor human decomposition in forensic entomology are, in correct sequential order:
7. In forensic entomology, 'accumulated degree days' (ADD) is defined as:
8. A body discovered outdoors in summer shows the presence of third-instar blow fly larvae (Calliphora species) approximately 1.5 cm in length. Given that the egg-to-third instar cycle takes approximately 5–7 days at 25°C, what is the minimum estimated postmortem interval?
9. In forensic entomology, the concept of 'accumulated degree days' (ADD) is used primarily to:
10. Which of the following insects arrives LAST in the standard succession wave on a decomposing human body in a temperate environment?
11. Forensic entomology can detect drug toxicology in decomposed remains because:
12. A forensic entomologist finds third-instar larvae of Calliphora vicina on a body. The known development time from egg to third instar at an average temperature of 20°C is 96 hours. However, the accumulated degree days (ADD) method is preferred. If the developmental threshold for Calliphora is 3°C and the average daily temperature has been 18°C, the ADD for third instar completion (96 hours at 20°C) expressed in degree days is approximately:
13. In forensic entomology, the concept of the 'postmortem submersion interval' (PMSI) differs from the standard postmortem interval (PMI) because:
14. A toxicologist finds elevated morphine in third-instar larvae recovered from a heroin overdose death. This finding is significant because:
15. A body is discovered outdoors in summer with maggot masses present. Third-instar larvae of Calliphora vicina (blowfly) are identified, and the accumulated degree-days (ADD) to reach this stage from egg is 120. The average temperature since death was 20°C, with a base temperature of 10°C for this species. What is the estimated minimum postmortem interval?
16. Which of the following correctly describes the succession of insect fauna in human decomposition and the corresponding stage of decomposition at which Dermestes beetles (hide beetles) appear?
17. In forensic entomology, the concept of 'inhibition' refers to a situation where entomological PMI estimation may underestimate the actual time since death. Which factor MOST commonly causes inhibition of colonization?