New evidence implicates Westerfield: (Dusek Fires Final Shot?) Trial Thread, July 10, 2002

Union Trib ^ | July 10, 2002 | Steve Perez/Greg Magnus

[connectthedots]

I think the jist is that beetles may show up later than flies and that beetles have a longer life-cycle or maturation period long enough so that there would have been beetle larva present on/in the body if DW had disposed of the body during a time-frame in which he had an opportunity. The life-cyle of the flies are such that they could have gone through an entire life-cyle in 10-12 days which is why Faulkner could establish a 'no later than date' since there would be overlapping life-cylcles. Since there is proof that there was no completed beetle life-cycle, an no earlier than date can be established. That 'no earlier than date' excludes DW, based on Faulkner's testimony up to this time.

[Henrietta]

come on over to new thread!

[Dasaji]

Too bad we can't look up registration transfers of vechicles. I'd almost bet someone got a really good deal on a van around that time.

If the van were traded in at a BMW Dealership in/near San Diego for the new BMW, it might not be as hard as yoou think ;) If anyone has a picture of the car's front or back, there's probably a dealer ad plate affixed.

Fres, you up for a little under cover work?? hee hee

[connectthedots]

I think a fair summation is that the body was exposed to insect on or before 2/16 and AFTER the SDPD started tracking DW.

[spectre]

That's what I was thinking, JJ. Faulkner said that when the "skin is broken, (let's say something took a "bite" out of it), even a crow...then the bugs immediately go to the broken skin and start laying their eggs...NOW, why was it just in the abdominal caviety?

I don't know how much of the body was left, tho...But it's apparent enough was left to say she was mummified.

Sorry guys, I know it's dinner time.

sw

[pyx]

Pyx, can you explain the "absence of beetle eggs" thing?

My error. I meant to type beetle larva. Beetles lay eggs within the body. The eggs hatch, and one of the growth stages is called a "larva". The time it take for a beetle to lay eggs and then for them to hatch and the offspring to reach larval stage has been very well documented and the times are quite precise. The absence of beetle lava would give the EARLIEST possible time Danielle Van Dam's body was exposed in the first place.

Incidentally, in my opinion, the lack of insects inside the brain is VERY troubling and leads me to suspect that Danielle may have been alive as late as February 12, 2002 or perhaps later. The body was not moved according to this witness who visited Danielle's body in situ. That phone call that's been mentioned earlier on February 16, 2002 really needs to be followed up on, in my opinion.

[UCANSEE2]

Back in session. Dusek still on cross:

Do you inspect chicken ranches? YES.

No complaints about flies hanging around chicken ranches. No.

How long have you been doing bug/fly testing. 5 years.

blah.blah.blah.

You went to Dehesa Recovery site.

Ininitiallyth 28th, then later.

WHy? Spread out search area to see if I missed anything.

Referring to charts, areas b,c,e.

talking about moisture that accumulates under the body.

Moisture would allow other animals to reside there.

IF DRY? you get a lot of rotting. There wasn't a lot of rotting of the body.

Any odor? .....

talking about how that would attract flies.

Not much odor.

What about a mummified body? Less odor.

Poison Oak. How much did you get in?

Ended up with sores on your arms. Did you play in the dirt? YES, about 2 hours. Are you allergic to poison oak. YES. Are some people not, YES.

Area E. green vegetation around body. Poison Oak.

Trying to tie growth of poison oak with time body there.

[alexandria]

Feldman on cross needs to focus on the cheese flies(sp)? These flies are only attracted to lay eggs at a certain stage of decomposition.

[the Deejay]

HA! The recovery guys said they smelled the ODOR from the body & Faulkner says he didn't smell any and even got down on the ground where the body had laid. NO ODOR.

[Freedom2specul8]

Oops, I started posting on the new thread...do you want to post your transcipts over there...we can lurk

[Freedom2specul8]

Therew as less odor than normal because there was less rot.

[cyncooper]

Not much odor.

What about a mummified body? Less odor

That answers some speculation from some that her body would have had a heavy odor.

[UCANSEE2]

Still talking about head area, lack of large number insects in head area.

Aside from body, did you find other food sources for the flies? NO

Was vegetation dry? Not a whole lot of annual vegetation was growing green.

Wounldn't SD county be green in FEB, normally. YES. but it wasn't this year? YES.

SORRY, my finjers iz tirred.

[demsux]

Hi Rheo,

I'm on vacation and really don't have time to follow the "blow by blow" trial action, but I would REALLY appreciate your take on today's action (and yesterday's, etc, if you're willing). I'm entertaining my wife and kids and father, brother, etc.

I value your opinion and appreciate the fact that you've been keeping everyone posted as the trial proceeds, so if you have the time, could you update me. If uncomfortable posting publicly, please feel free to freepmail me.

Again, thanks

[Lanza]

Thanks SW for the ping!

[the Deejay]

"That answers some speculation from some that her body would have had a heavy odor."

The recovery guys said they "smelled the odor" and that led them to the body. (I don't believe them either.)

[Freedom2specul8]

Do you want to go to the new thread..we can take turns.

[Lanza]

New 850,000 home? When did they move? I take it they had life insurance?

[cyncooper]

The testimony is not that there was *NO* odor, just not heavy. Others have speculated that it would reek from quite a distance. The searchers smelled it when they came within feet, I believe.

[UCANSEE2]

DId you find any adult flies? YES 1.

What is life cycle? 23-24 days.

Area where body found N side of E-W valley.

BEETLES, 4 or 5 different species collected.,p.

Body there 2-3 weeks, or longer. YES, Could have been.

So 2-3 weeks in addition to 16th. YEs, could be.

Not having exact weather info affects accuracy of estimates given.

Insects don't function in cold weather. too warm will kill them.