Body farm day 4 009

Whisker's Decomposition

By Body Farm

  • Day 1

    Day 1
    1. Cat a. FELIS DOMESTICUS b. Domestic cat c. Friday May 6th, 10 am (picked up at Coppell Animal Serivces) d. Cause of death- unknown e. Body is intact, no visible decomposition or insects
    2. Plot a. temperature is 79 degree F, partly cloudy, wind 23 mph S, 62% humidity
    http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/10/mj7KNsKj31U
    b. plot is in shade on grass
  • Period: to

    Body Farm

  • Day 2

    Day 2
    1. Skeletal: length- 53 cm, width- 28 cm, depth- 15
    2. entomology: no visible bugs in chamber
    3. Decomposition: no odor or visible decomposition
    4. Field- 80 degrees F, mostly cloudy, wind 14 mph S, 69% humidity

  • Day 3

    Day 3
    1. Skeletal: length & depth take up box, width- 30 cm
    2. Entomology- ants on the lid
    3. Decomposition- no visible decomp but smell present
    4. Field- 70 degrees F, cloudy, wind 13 mph S, 81% humidity

  • Day 4

    Day 4
    1. Skeletal: intact
    2. Entomology: no major bugs, flies "attacked" when lid opened
    3. Decomposition: nothing visible, smell is gross
    4. Field: 75 degrees F, scattered clouds, 15 mph NW, 47% humidity
    http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/7/rkMkMYMR2tQ

  • Day 5

    Day 5
    1. Skeletal: same size, no bone visible
    2. Entomology: ants and 1 blow fly present in chamber
    3. Decomposition: hair beginning to fall off
    4. Field: 61 degrees F, sunny, 14 mph NE, 53% humidity
    http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/6/C9lDtpR2a8c

  • Day 6

    Day 6
    1. Skeletal- same size, no change
    2. Entomology- more ants, 1-2 flies inside, possibility of larvae inside cat
    3. Decomposition- near site of the ants on its stomach
    4. Field- 70 degrees F, sunny, 6 mph SE, 44% humidity
    http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/4/GN9OOlcE4fI

  • Day 7

    Day 7
    Skeletal: Intact
    Entomology: flies on lid, lots of flies inside, more ants around stomach
    Decomposition: hole behind ear, smell present, ear coming off
    Field: 74 degrees F, mostly cloudy, 20 mph S, 73% humidity http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/3/xzbpxa8AQZE
    http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/2/cFbhdi25JM8

  • Day 8

    Day 8
    Skeletal: very bloated and stomach is tight (gas or bugs)
    Entomology: about the same number of bugs
    Decomposition: things are falling off with pressure
    Field: 73 degress F, cloudy, 16 mph SE. 79% humidity http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/1/3MjZVKpRYiM

  • Day 9

    Day 9
    The lid of the box had been left off and the cat was dragged and partially eaten
    Skeletal: some bones visible
    Entomology: No bugs, but possiblity of ring worm in cat
    Decomposition: muscles, bones, and organs visible. Skin and fur was off of the majority of the body
    Field: 78 degrees F, cloudy & rainy, wind 14mph S, 86% humidity http://www.youtube.com/user/courtneyelizabeth17#p/u/0/3P6kqICbP3k

  • Day 10

    Day 10
    Skeletal: nearly all bones exposed, some missing
    Entomology: flies grouped on back (larvae present)
    Decomposition: skin and organs gone
    Field: 76 degrees F, cloudy, 21 mph S, 82% humidity