Entomology Research Report:
Total possible rubric points: 35 ( points will be multiplied x 5 for total possible score of 175)
Obj:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Illustrate and explain the life cycle of blow flies
Determine the phases and progression of decomposition
Succession of insects on corpse.
Identification of insects that colonize a corpse
Importance of PMI estimation
Explain degree days or hours
Criteria: Rubric
Criteria
Illustration of blow fly
life cycle drawn,
labeled, explained
(Please consider computer
generated drawings or
neatly hand drawn and
neatly worded explanations)

Explanations may
include degree
days/hours to
complete the
labeled instar

May include which
stage of
decomposition
this instar may be
found

PMI as indicated
by labeled instar.
Stages of
decomposition phases
listed, labeled and
explanation of what is
occurring to corpse.



Table format
Include pictures of
stages – must be
high quality.
Computer
generated data is
preferred.
5 points
4-3 points
2 -1 points
1-0
Illustration complete, life
cycle is drawn, labeled and
explanation of the stages:
All criteria are presented;
illustration is accurate &
complete with elements
required. Neat and easy to
read.
Illustration is computer
generated and not copied
from other media sources
Illustration complete, life
cycle is drawn, labeled, and
explanation of stages:
1 element is missing, but
information provided is
accurate, neat, and easy to
read
All elements are accurate
and complete but is hand
drawn and not colored.
Illustration complete, life
cycle is drawn, labeled,
explanation of stages:

2 or more elements
are missing.

Information is not
presented neatly.

Information is not
accurate.

Difficult to interpret
info

elements are hand
drawn and not
colored, missing
one or more
elements
Stages of decomposition
phases listed, labeled, and
explained as what is
occurring at labeled stage.

All information is
accurate

All info is
complete

All information is
presented

All info is neat

Pictures are high
quality
Stages of decomposition
listed, labeled, and
explained as what is
occurring at labeled stage.

1 element is
missing

1 element is
incorrect

1 element is
incomplete

1 element is
difficult to
understand

Neatness is
lacking
Stages of decomposition
listed, labeled, and explained
as what is occurring at
labeled stage.

2 or more elements
are missing.

2 or more elements
are incorrect

2 or more elements
are incomplete

2 or more elements
are difficult to
understand
Illustration is not
complete:

Life cycle is not
drawn

Life cycle is not
labeled

Life cycle stages
not explained

Life cycle drawn
is not neat,
understandable,

2 + elements
are accurate. (1
pt)

1 or more
elements of this
section has
been
plagiarized
from other
media sources.

All hand drawn
(1pt)
Stages of decomposition
listed, labeled, and
explained as to what is
occurring at labeled
stage.

No stages of
decomp listed,
labeled, or
explained

Inappropriate
format of
presentation

2 + required info
is presented
(1pt)

Appropriate
presentation of
info


1 picture is not
high quality
Inappropriate
format for
presentation of
info.





Timeline of succession
of insects and their
colonization at specific
phases of
decomposition
(timeline – computer
generated, fewer points for
handwritten version)
(decomp phases listed with
species of insect that
colonizes the corpse during
these phases)
(Identification of insects at
specific phases of
decomposition)
Identification and
Illustration (PPT,
Poster, Gallery Walk)
of insects that inhabit
a corpse; must state
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Identification of
insect
Latin name listed
in binomial
nomenclature
Common name
listed
insect order listed
explain the
importance of
each insect to the
decomposition
process.
Define degree days and
the importance of heat
Timeline of succession of
insects and their
colonization at specific
phases of decomposition:

Accurate listing
of insects

Accurate timeline
of colonization

Neat, easy to
interpret

Complete and
correct

Computer
generated
information.
Identification and
illustration of insects that
colonize a corpse:

Latin name listed
correct

Latin name in
correct format

Common name
listed and is
correct

Insect order
listed and is
correct

Importance to
decomp process
has been
explained

Correctly
identified
Define degree days and the
importance of heat to blow
Timeline of succession of
insects and their
colonization at specific
phases of decomposition:

Accurate timeline

Accurate listing
of insects; BUT
one insect is
missing or
misidentified

Colonization
timeline has 1
inaccurate
element

One element is
not computer
generated.

Neat, easy to
interpret
Identification and
illustration of insects that
colonize a corpse:

Inaccurate
identification of
1 -4 insects

Inaccurate
format of 1-4
Latin names

Incorrect
identification of
1-4 common
names

1-4 insect orders
not listed or
listed incorrectly

Importance to
decomp process
is not explained
for 1-4 insects
Define degree days and the
importance of heat to blow
2 or more elements
are lacking
neatness
2 or more pictures
are not of highquality Or
2 or more pictures
are missing.
Appropriate format
with missing
elements
Inappropriate
format with 2+
missing elements
Timeline of succession of
insects and their colonization
at specific phases of
decomposition:

2 or more elements
missing from
timeline

2 or more insects
missing or
misidentified


Colonization
timeline has 2 or
more elements
incorrect
Neatness is lacking,
hard to read and/or
interpret.



Information
presented but
difficult to
understand,
read, interpret
(1 pt)
Info presented
but 2 or less
elements
accurate and/or
complete
All elements
hand drawn,
labeled, etc.
(1pt)
Timeline of succession of
insects and their
colonization at specific
phases of decomposition:

timeline is
missing

listing of insects
missing

colonization
timeline is
missing

2 insects listed
are correct (1pt)

2 elements of
colonization
timeline is
accurate (1pt)
Identification and illustration
of insects that colonize a
corpse:

Inaccurate
identification of 5-9
insects

Inaccurate format
of 5-9 Latin names

Incorrect
identification of 5-9
common names

5-9 insect orders
are not listed or
listed incorrectly

Importance to
decomp process is
not explained for 59 insects.
Identification and
illustration of insects that
colonize a corpse:

inaccurate
identification of
10 + insects

inaccurate
format of 10+
insect names

10+ insect
orders are not
listed or listed
incorrectly.
 Importance to
decomp process
is not explained
for 10+ insects.
Define degree days and the
importance of heat to blow fly
Define degree days and
the importance of heat to
to blow fly
development and how
degree days are used
to determine PMI
fly development and how
degree days are used to
determine PMI:



Degree days
defined
Describe how the
amount of heat
and hours
determine
blowfly
development.
Explain how
blow fly
development can
estimate the PMI
of a corpse.
Explain how blow-fly
larvae breakdown a
corpse.
Explanation of how blowfly larvae breakdown a
corpse.
Importance of
entomological
evidence to death
investigations:
 List 3 ways
insects can
help in death
investigations.
 Examples of
each statement
Importance of insect
evidence in death
investigations:

3 ways insects
can help in
death
investigations
are listed and
examples are
given
fly development and how
degree days are used to
determine PMI:
ONE OR MORE OF THE
FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IS
MISSING:



Degree days are
explained
Description of
how the amount
of heat and
hours determine
blowfly
development
Explanation of
how blow fly
development can
estimate PMI is
missing.
Importance of insect
evidence in death
investigations:

1 way insects
can help in
death
investigations
IS NOT LISTED.

Examples are
given, 1-2 may
be missing.
development and how degree
days are used to determine
PMI:
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING is
included in the report:

Degree days are
explained
OR

Description of how
the amount of heat
and hours
determine blowfly
development
OR

blow fly development and
how degree days are used
to determine PMI:



Degree days are
not defined
Description of
degree
day/hours is not
described
Explanation of
how blow fly
development
can estimate
PMI is missing.
Explanation of how
blow fly
development can
estimate PMI
Explanation of how blow-fly
larvae breakdown a corpse is
listed but is incomplete
and/or inaccurate
No explanation of how
blow fly larvae
breakdown a corpse
Importance of insect
evidence in death
investigations:
Importance of insect
evidence in death
investigations:
 Ways insects
can help in
death
investigation
s are not
listed
 Examples are
not given


1 way insects
can help in
death
investigations is
listed
1 example is
given