Forensic Science: DNA, Blood & Biological Evidence | Forensic Entomology |

Forensic Science: DNA, Blood & Biological Evidence | Forensic Entomology | Insect Evidence Investigation | Grades 9–12

Bring forensic entomology into your classroom with this no-prep Insect Evidence Investigation! Students explore how insect species, developmental stages, and environmental conditions can help forensic scientists estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). They then apply their learning to a hypothetical case, analyze blowfly evidence, estimate a minimum PMI, and investigate how changing temperatures can affect their conclusions.

What’s Included
- Teacher Directions
- Student-Friendly Forensic Entomology Overview
- Mini Research Questions
- Online Resources
- Group Activity: Insect Evidence Investigation
- 3 Student Investigation Pages- Understanding the Evidence
- Insect Evidence Case File: Analyze the Evidence & Estimate the PMI
- Dig Deeper: When Conditions Change

- Teacher Answer Key
- Color and printer-friendly black-and-white student pages

Students Will
- Explore how forensic entomology contributes to criminal investigations
- Connect insect life-cycle stages to PMI estimates
- Analyze a hypothetical scene containing blowfly evidence
- Use developmental data to estimate a minimum PMI
- Examine how warmer and cooler temperatures affect insect development
- Distinguish between PMI estimates and an exact time of death
- Evaluate limitations and environmental factors that can affect insect evidence
- Support conclusions with scientific evidence and reasoning

Perfect For:
High School Forensic Science • Forensic Biology • DNA, Blood & Biological Evidence Units • Criminalistics • CSI Units • Criminal Justice • Law & Public Safety/CTE • Biology Connections • STEM Electives • Homeschool • Sub Plans • Small-Group Investigations

Why Teachers Love This Resource
- No-prep and classroom ready
- Designed for 1–2 class periods
- Combines research with an actual evidence-analysis task
- Encourages evidence-based reasoning instead of simple recall
- Reinforces the limitations of forensic evidence
- Includes a complete hypothetical case and developmental reference data
- Includes color and black-and-white versions
- Teacher answer key included
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Disclaimer
This is an independent educational resource created for classroom instruction. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any law enforcement agency, forensic laboratory, government organization, or other organization referenced within the resource.
Forensic science may involve sensitive topics including crime, violence, blood, DNA, bodily fluids, injuries, death, and other biological evidence. Teachers should preview materials and determine their appropriateness for their students and school community. All forensic scenarios, insect evidence, postmortem interval estimates, developmental data, and investigative activities are provided for educational purposes only and are not intended as professional forensic, medical, or legal training.