Back to Teachers page ABLE

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Learning about bacteria, fungi, or the developmental stages of insects does not always have the “wow” factor for many college students. If you add a dead body to the mix, it’s amazing how their interest is piqued. An interactive forensic science module was developed with this storyline to provide an authentic forensic investigation of a dead animal. Forensic science considers many variables when documenting and determining conditions to identify the potential time frame of death. In particular, the presence, amount, and developmental stages of bacteria, fungi and insects are commonly used to aid investigations. The developmental stages and preference in behaviors of insects, and the decay of associated plant matter has proven to be particularly beneficial in determining the potential time frame of death of an animal. The case in this module presents a human that has died after taking a bite of fruit. Fruit flies and blow flies are found at the scene. Through experimentation, data gathering, and analysis of the life cycles and behavior of two animal models (fruit fly and blow fly), interpretations of the location of the insects and developmental stages of larvae and pupa lead to a logical assessment of the time of death. We simulated the experimental design of data collection at the scene using laminated copies of fruit fly and blow fly larvae in different developmental stages. The data set and specific details surrounding data collection are provided to support participants in determining the time frame of the dead animal using an experimental protocol. Protocols also are provided to guide the re-creation of the scene using physical models. The lab has been designed to be conducted in the laboratory or remotely using downloadable materials. The laboratory can also be adapted as a CURE class project.

ABLE poster

ABLE paper- draft

Movie to go with poster MP4

Resources: Papers and web links

Recorded movie for the ABLE meeting (HERE) watch with VLC media freeware. Also on YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/VcmFpbNWJVM

Power point presented in the above movie (here,-PDF and kit for class room) For students MS word, PDF

for teachers MS word file, PDF, Poster PPT

Look at www page for simulating population growth:

http://web.as.uky.edu/Biology/faculty/cooper/Population%20dynamics%20examples%20with%20fruit%20flies/Home-population.htm

Participants designing this content are :

Oscar Istas, Abigail Greenhalgh, Erin E. Richard, Jate Bernard, and Robin L. Cooper- Dept of Biology, Univ. of KY., Lexington, KY.

Max deCastro - Lexington, KY.

Rebecca Krall - Department of STEM Education, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 40506-0225

Tawny Aguayo - West Jessamine High School, 2101 Wilmore Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356.