Forensic Entomology

Forensic entomology is the use of insects in the investigation of crime scenes and criminal investigations. They play a very important role in determining vital information such as the time of death and the cause of death of an individual. Detection of drug use, wounds and whether a body has been moved or not can all be confirmed by insects, but can also be assisted by other factors that come into play. The most significant insects that are studied and used in forensic entomology are blowflies. From the day they lay their eggs to their last day as an adult fly they can give key insights to a deceased person's situation and circumstances even if they are not clearly apparent. On occasion, the term 'forensic entomology' is expanded to include

However, if a significantly large group of blowflies are found on the body anywhere other than these natural orifices e.g. the mouth and nose, then this can be an indication of a wound or injury on the body. Wounds can be equally as warm and moist as the natural orifices and so blowflies tend to lay their eggs in them, as well as using them as a food source. This will make the numbers increase which in turn draws attention to the injuries and forensic scientists can notice this and investigate them

The ideal temperature for the maggots to survive their entire life cycle has been found to be in between 15-25 degrees (Fraser, 2015). Any hotter or colder and the maggots cannot survive long enough to grow into adult blowflies. However, if the temperature was colder, the maggots can go into hibernation and form in groups to keep warm. This doesn't allow them to live their full cycle, but it does enable them to live longer than if they were in a hotter climate, although Gennard (2012) found that the highest temperature for insect growth is in the region of 52.7 degrees. Horsewell (2004) observed that although commonly flies are most active during the day, Green (1951) and Greenberg (1990b) have shown in studies that some species of fly are capable of nocturnal oviposition in certain circumstances. Temperature can also come into effect in this.

If a deceased body is buried deep underground or is encased in tight wrappings, it is harder for the insects to get to the body. If a body is kept in this way, then it may not decompose in the natural order it normally would if it was exposed to the air and to insects. Although, there are some exceptions such as some blowfly larvae, some flesh fly larvae and coffin flies, as these can bury down under wrappings or deep ground and therefore reach the