A trap for the continuously collecting sarcosaprophagous flies

Abstract

A method often used by forensic entomologists to determine a minimum post-mortem interval (PMI), or rather, time since insect colonization, of carrion is the successional model. Successional data can be troubled with unreliable data, partly due to collector bias, incorrect collecting techniques, and/or poorly timed collection periods. The authors are testing the efficacy of a trap designed to overcome these limitations by continually collecting sarcosaprophagous dipterans without disrupting or delaying access to their ephemeral food source, or disturbing the natural decomposition process of the carrion. Euthanized cats treated with the continuous collection trap were sampled daily and the successional data were compared to cats allowed to decompose without the trap and sampled by traditional forensic collection protocol established by the American Council of Forensic Entomology. Stage of decomposition estimates were also collected from the treatment group and compared against the controlled groups.