What does the term "maggot milkshake" refer to in forensic analysis?

The term "maggot milkshake" specifically refers to a blend of maggots recovered from a corpse during forensic investigations, particularly in the field of entomology, which studies insects in relation to legal matters. When a body decomposes, it often attracts various insects, including maggots, which are the larval stage of flies. Forensic entomologists collect these maggots to analyze their development stages, which can provide valuable information about the time of death and other circumstances surrounding the death.

The composition of the "maggot milkshake" helps investigators understand the decomposition process and the conditions surrounding the corpse. This mix can reveal important evidence, such as the time elapsed since death, as different species of maggots develop at different rates depending on environmental conditions. Therefore, collecting and analyzing this mixture is vital for building a timeline of events related to the case.