The subcategory of evidence deemed trace evidence is frequently seen in crime scenes, and while it is commonly the smallest evidence around, that doesn’t stop it from greatly contributing to the findings at the scene. Blood evidence may be categorized into this group in certain cases at crime scenes, especially in cases of transfer between two objects or people. In this study, the transfer of blood across both porous and non-porous substrates was examined to determine the persistence of blood across both substrates. The resulting stains after each trial of transfers were tested with a presumptive blood test commonly used in crime labs, the Kastle-Meyer test. Throughout all trials of the experiment, it was determined that blood on a non-porous surface typically dries faster as long as there isn’t a pooling effect, which hinders the ability for a stain to be continuously transferred and detected by Kastle-Meyer. Conversely, porous substrates are more likely to absorb and retain the blood in the material, allowing the blood to be released when pressure is applied, causing the stain to transfer more easily and result in a stain that will produce a positive Kastle-Meyer result.

Arizona is number one in the nation for the most food waste sent to landfills according to a study by LawnStarter® (Ardoin, 2021). This unsustainable practice of food disposal has the potential to be mitigated with the use of black soldier flies (BSF) (Stratiomyidae: Hermetia illucens) as currently explored by Arizona Worm Farm (AWF). BSF larvae consume the food waste allowing a more sustainable method of disposal. In addition, these larvae can be a food source for livestock. In order to improve AWF’s current program, analysis of the facility, climate, food sources, organization, and pest identification was conducted. A series of tests were designed to determine the effectiveness of, and to make improvements to, existing feeding protocols and food sources. These included nutritional analysis of the larvae, feed conversion tests, and pH analysis and moisture content examination of the standard diet of spent brewer’s grain. Environmental parameters were improved through a new organizational system, a new light source for mating, new methods for controlling humidity, and sealed enclosures for pest prevention to increase efficiency and productivity of the program. The previous open water source for adults resulted in higher mortality rates than a new system which allows for the adults to receive moisture on a cloth and reduces the risk of drowning. This study led to the development of a comprehensive protocol that will improve and grow AWF’s program by reducing mortality of adults from pests, open water, and dry conditions. Other BSF programs will be able to use this for guidance in order to raise BSF on a large scale, as a food source and for waste reduction in their own communities.