A (dead) pig in the city
There's a dead body behind the science museum. Insects are rapidly consuming the mystery corpse. Maggots pulse and squirm in the eyes and nostrils, beetles gnaw at leathery skin, and flies gorge themselves on putrid flesh. Not so long ago, this mysterious corpse was pink-cheeked, healthy, and … oinking.
The point of the pig
Pigs are a lot like people in some ways. With similar organs, muscles and bones, all beneath mostly hairless skin, pigs make reasonable substitutes for human bodies. They have been used as military and medical test subjects for generations, and now they are playing an important part in the scientific study of what happens to us after we die.
Knowing when a pig died, scientists will gather data on the stages of its decay. Criminal investigators can then use this information to reveal a time and place of death when they find a human body in similar condition.
Corpse Island
Like a grisly little island, a dead body has a slightly different climate and insect community from the surrounding environment. Flies are the first to arrive at the “island,” laying eggs in body openings, and consuming fluids from the moist tissue. Ants and beetles will then come to prey on the fly eggs and maggots. As the body begins to dry, maggots disappear and other beetle species will move in to chew at the toughening flesh.
The specific combination of insects present can indicate the age of the island—when the body died. Depending on where the body is located, though, things can play out differently: changing weather can cause a body to dry out very quickly or to not dry at all, and if a body is buried, or under water, some kinds of bugs can be prevented from reaching it. Scientists observe bodies in different environments to account for these variables.
Big pig: It may not look like anyone you know, but a pig like this one can make a decent substitute for a human in forensic science experiments.
Courtesy johnmuk
Blue bottle fly: The combination of insects on a body can indicate how old it is, and sometimes where it came from. Here, blowflies prepare to lay eggs, while a bee investigates for something to eat.
Courtesy SirArmstrong
back to the beginningYour Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
Science Buzz is supported by the National Science Foundation.Copyright © Science Museum of Minnesota, 2004-2010, except where noted.
Scientists must get paid a lot, because I wouldn't want the job of studying a dead pig.
Your right who wouldn't want to study a DEAD pig
That is so true!
you would have to pay me a lot of money to work on a dead pig, of dead anything.
But its good that they are researching these things on already dead animals instead of humans. I like that they are not killing the pigs to do the research.
But its still nasty, but its also good for our benefit.
I definitly would like to study dead pigs, and i would do it for free!
this CSI experement was amazing!! i luved it! i liked how we could solve it on our own n stuff it was reall kool
Using dead animals for forensic research is an awsome endevor. I have always been interested in forensic science and always enyoy learning the lastest technology. I think this is a great learning opportunity. (just try and keep your lunch down)
that dead pig thing is weird.
i think the pig is ugly and fattt! why are they sougly
It appears to me that the pig loses quite a bit of weight over the duration of the experiment. However, I wouldn't recommend this type of diet.
the pig is cute
good experiment i just really love this keyboard!!!
I think the pig is an excellent experiment to show us what really happens. Jon Bonjovi for President
that is really weird
i fell bad for the pig
i think that its interesting that it has been use as military
I thought this was a great experiment! Very interesting :)
★BRITTANY ☠BONES☠ TODD★
Post new comment