How Soon Do Insects Find the Body?
WouterThe presence of insects on a dead body can help investigators estimate how long ago the body died. For instance, flies can start colonizing a dead body within 30 seconds, and they can continue to feed on the body for days. Using the temperature and species of flies, investigators can estimate how long the body has been dead.
The body’s odor will trigger the arrival of the flies, which are called blowflies. The flies are attracted to the smell of decomposition. They can detect a dead body within 15 minutes of its death, and they will use it as a possible food source, hiding area, and breeding site. The rotting flesh of a body can also serve as an incubator for insects, which lay their eggs in it.
Although it’s rare for flies to find the body of a dead person, dead animal carcasses are a potential source of flies. A mouse poisoned inside a wall or mouse trap is one common source of flies. Other animals, such as birds, squirrels, and racoons, can also provide flies with food. Larger animals will provide a higher number of flies than small ones.
Insects are very important for the forensic process. Often, they find bodies nearby. For this reason, flies can be used to determine how long it took the body to decay. Their presence on the body can help investigators determine if a corpse was killed within a few hours.
