What indicates severe decomposition through clusters of larvae?

Maggot masses signify severe decomposition as they are clusters of larvae, typically from blowflies, that indicate significant decay of a body. When a corpse begins to decompose, it attracts various insect life, particularly during the early stages of decomposition, when the body is still moist and high in protein. As decomposition progresses, these larvae feed on the deteriorating tissue, which results in the formation of notable clusters or masses.

The presence of maggot masses is a crucial factor for forensic entomologists and death investigators. It helps in assessing the time of death and the environmental conditions surrounding the decomposition process. In environments with suitable temperatures, these larvae can develop rapidly, making their identification vital for forensic timelines.

Other options, such as mummification, skeletonization, and rigor mortis, represent different stages of decomposition or changes that occur in a body after death, but they do not specifically denote the presence of large clusters of feeding larvae, which is characteristic of severe decomposition and active insect activity.