American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which statement about maggots infesting a body is true?

1. Maggots do not occur in bodies that have been dead for more than two weeks

2. An autopsy on a maggot-infested body cannot be useful

3. Maggots can assist in estimating the time of death

4. Maggots grow at predictable rates depending on climate and temperature

The correct answer is: Maggots grow at predictable rates depending on climate and temperature

Maggots play a significant role in forensic entomology, which is the study of insect life in relation to legal investigations. The correct answer emphasizes how maggots grow at predictable rates that are influenced by environmental factors such as climate and temperature. This predictable growth can be crucial for estimations related to the post-mortem interval, which refers to the time elapsed since death. Understanding the life cycle of the species of flies that produce maggots and how temperature affects their development allows forensic investigators to establish a timeline for when the individual may have died. By analyzing the stage of development of the maggots found on the body, investigators can yield important insights into the time frame of death, making them a valuable tool in homicide investigations. In contrast, the other statements do not accurately reflect the realities of entomology in medicolegal death investigations. While it is true that decomposition alters over time, maggots can be present even in bodies that have been deceased for more than two weeks, especially in warmer conditions. Additionally, an autopsy on a maggot-infested body can still yield useful information, as forensic pathologists can conduct thorough examinations alongside entomologists to piece together crucial details.