Efficiency data on a novel trap for the continuous collection of carrion feeding flies

Forensic entomologists will often use a succession model to determine a minimum post-mortem interval (PMI). Various carrion feeding dipteran will take advantage of such an ephemeral resource at different stages of its decomposition, e.g. fresh, bloat, or decay; therefore, succession models are especially useful for remains that have been exposed past the initial generation of larvae, when conventional PMI estimation techniques become less reliable. However, successional data itself may not be dependable due partly to collector bias, incorrect collecting techniques, and/or poorly timed collection periods. To overcome these limitations, the authors have designed a trap to continually collect sarcosaprophagous flies without inhibiting or delaying access to the carrion, or disturbing the natural decomposition process. Euthanized cats treated with the continuous collection trap method were sampled daily and successional data were compared to cats without the trap sampled by traditional forensic collection protocol, as well as against traps without any carrion enticement. Stage of decomposition data were also collected from the treatment group and compared against the controlled groups. Along with data results, trap design is presented.