Pre-Colonisation Interval
Definition
An interval before colonisation whose relationship to death must be assessed in the case. Wrapping, enclosure or restricted entry can delay access to a resource. Temperature can also slow development after access has already occurred, which is a different effect.
- Context
- Colonisation history
For example, a covering applied after egg deposition may restrict later fly access while larvae already beneath it continue developing.
Do not add an assumed access delay to insect age merely because a body was covered at recovery. The earlier access history requires case evidence.
Related terms
- Access Interval
- A period relevant to insect access, distinct from a measured developmental interval. Wrapping, enclosure or restricted entry can delay access to a...
- Calliphoridae
- A fly family including many forensically relevant blow flies, with species that differ in ecology and development. This fly family includes many...
- Calypter
- A wing-base structure found in several fly groups, not a unique blow fly diagnosis. Calypters are structures near the wing base that...
- Cohort
- A cohort is a group of organisms considered together under a defined origin, sampling or developmental criterion. The grouping should be explicit,...
- Colonisation
- Establishment of an insect association, with the exact reference event specified for the analysis. Colonisation describes establishment on or in a resource....
- Conditional Opinion
- An interpretation whose applicability depends on explicitly stated assumptions or circumstances. A conditional conclusion states which assumptions must hold. Conditions should be...
- Insect-Age Estimate
- An assessment of age or developmental progress under stated biological and modelling assumptions. Assess the development and association actually supported by the...
- Larval Age Method
- Age assessment using suitable developmental observations and species-specific reference evidence. Age assessment combines appropriate observations with a relevant development reference and temperature...
- Larviposition
- Deposition of larvae, whose developmental origin must be defined in the selected model. Oviposition deposits eggs; larviposition deposits larvae. The event used...
- Minimum PMI (Period of Insect Activity)
- A conditional death-related lower bound; period of insect activity and minimum PMI are not automatically identical. A supported lower bound on elapsed...
- Muscidae
- A diverse fly family containing some carrion-associated species, without a universal succession role. Some members can be relevant in carrion investigations. Hydrotaea...
- Oviposition
- Deposition of eggs, a reference event distinct from hatching and death. Oviposition deposits eggs; larviposition deposits larvae. The event used as the...
Explained in these topics
- Estimating the Postmortem Interval: PrinciplesTime before colonisation under the specified relationship to death and access.
- Flies of Forensic Importance: Blow Flies and Flesh Flies