algor mortis
the cooling of the body after death
autolysis
the spontaneous breakdown of cells as they self-digest
cause of death
the immediate reason for a person's death (such as heart attack, kidney failure)
death
the cessation, or end, of life
decomposition
the process of rotting and breaking down
forensic entomology
the study of insects as they pertain to legal issues
instar
one of the three larval stages of insect development
larva
immature form of an animal that undergoes metamorphosis (for example, a maggot)
livor mortis
the pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
manner of death
one of four means by which someone dies (i.e., natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal)
mechanism of death
the specific body failure that leads to death
pupa
the stage in the insect's life cycle when the larva forms a capsule around itself and changes into its adult form
rigor mortis
the stiffening of the skeletal muscles after death
natural death
caused by interruption and failure of body functions resulting from age or disease; this is the most common manner of death.
accidental death
caused by unplanned events