In forensic entomology, what term describes the time elapsed since death based on insect development on the body?

• A. Antemortem Interval
• B. Rigor Mortis
• C. Postmortem Interval (PMI)
• D. Insect Succession

Answer: (C)

In forensic entomology, the time since death is inferred from the development stage of insects found on the body. The term for that elapsed time is the postmortem interval (PMI). Insects like blowflies lay eggs soon after death, and these insects progress through well-known life stages (eggs, larvae in instars, pupae, adults) at temperatures they experience in the environment. By identifying the current development stage and applying species-specific growth data with the local temperature history, you estimate how long it has been since death. Antemortem interval refers to the time before death, rigor mortis is the postmortem stiffening of the body, and insect succession describes which species appear over time, which can aid PMI but is not the direct measure of insect development time itself.