6.1

Question 1

List the ways in which time of death can be determined

Answer 1

• temperature of body
• insects/larvae found on the body and the stage in their life cycle (forensic entomology)
• stage of rigor/livor/algor mortis

Question 2

Explain how the rate of cooling of a body can be used to determine time of death

Answer 2

Rate of cooling can be calculated based on ambient temperature and other factors to determine how long ago the body a started cooling (ie death). This can only be helpful with 24 hours of the time of death

Question 3

Describe the stages of rigor mortis

Answer 3

1-2 hours after death - rigor mortis begins, small muscles tensing first
8-12 hours after - full rigor
24-48 hours after - muscles begin to break down and become limp/flaccid

Question 4

Explain why the rate of decomposition can be impacted by environmental temperature

Answer 4

Digestive enzymes are produced by bacteria to break down biomass in decomposition (to form glucose for respiration). Fastest rate of reaction will occur at optimum temperature, too cold and too infrequent successful collisions and too hot will cause the enzymes to denature.

Question 5

Compare and contrast the process of succession in an ecological setting with succession that takes place on a corpse

Answer 5

• Both involve a pioneer species to survive harsh environments and improve abiotic conditions
• a corpse will require more decomposers such as fungi/bacteria to break down biomass, regular succession will involve moss/lichen to colonise bare rock
• corpses may not reach a climax community whereas succession will