Forensic entomology as an advanced tool in crime investigation

Abstract

The use of research on insects and other arthropods in court proceedings is known as forensic entomology. When forensic insects are discovered on a human body or at the crime scenes, their biodiversity, biology, ecology, and behavior can reveal details about the period since death and occasionally even the reason of the death. The forensic insects have been utilized in criminal investigations from decades, they have only recently become a very well-known and separate field in forensic investigations. Knowledge of local insect assemblages and population dynamics is crucial in medico-legal entomology for a successful criminal investigation when monitoring and analyzing insects on a corpse. Forensic entomology comprises three subspecialties, namely urban, stored goods, and medico-legal. The insects that colonize corpses provide valuable insights into the decomposition process. In cases where traditional methods for determining the time since death are limited, Calliphoridae, a family of flies, provides crucial evidence. Two well-established approaches for estimating the post-mortem interval rely on the development of maggots and the succession patterns of insect species. Forensic entomology has gained significant popularity among criminal investigators and forensic entomologists, leading to the emergence of various related fields.