Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Forensic entomology

  • Review
  • Published:
Naturwissenschaften Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Necrophagous insects are important in the decomposition of cadavers. The close association between insects and corpses and the use of insects in medicocriminal investigations is the subject of forensic entomology. The present paper reviews the historical background of this discipline, important postmortem processes, and discusses the scientific basis underlying attempts to determine the time interval since death. Using medical techniques, such as the measurement of body temperature or analysing livor and rigor mortis, time since death can only be accurately measured for the first two or three days after death. In contrast, by calculating the age of immature insect stages feeding on a corpse and analysing the necrophagous species present, postmortem intervals from the first day to several weeks can be estimated. These entomological methods may be hampered by difficulties associated with species identification, but modern DNA techniques are contributing to the rapid and authoritative identification of necrophagous insects. Other uses of entomological data include the toxicological examination of necrophagous larvae from a corpse to identify and estimate drugs and toxicants ingested by the person when alive and the proof of possible postmortem manipulations. Forensic entomology may even help in investigations dealing with people who are alive but in need of care, by revealing information about cases of neglect.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2A–D
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen JC (1976) A modified sine wave method for calculating day degrees. Environ Entomol 5:388–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Amendt J, Krettek R, Niess C, Zehner R, Bratzke H (2000) Forensic entomology in Germany. Forensic Sci Int 113:309–314

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ames C, Turner B (2003) Low temperature episodes in development of blowflies: implications for postmortem interval estimation. Med Vet Entomol 17:178–186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson GS (1995) The use of insects in death investigations: an analysis of cases in British Columbia over a five year period. Can Soc Forensic J 28:277–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson GS (2000) Minimum and maximum development rates of some forensically important Calliphoridae (Diptera). J Forensic Sci 45:824–32

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson GS (2001) Succession on carrion and its relationship to determining time of death. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 143–175

  • Anderson GS, Cervenka VJ (2002) Insects associated with the body: their use and analyses. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Advances in forensic taphonomy: method, theory and archaeological perspectives. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 173–200

  • Anderson GS, Hobischak NR (2004) Decomposition of carrion in the marine environment in British Columbia, Canada. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson GS, VanLaerhoven SL (1996) Initial studies on insect succession on carrion in southwestern British Columbia. J Forensic Sci 41:617–625

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (1814) Instruction für die oeffentlich angestellten Aerzte und Wundaerzte in den k.k. oesterreichischen Staaten, wie sie sich bei gerichtlichen Leichenschauen zu benehmen haben. Schoenfeld, Prague

  • Arnaldos I, Romera E, García MD, Luna A (2001) An initial study on the succession of sarcosaprophagous Diptera (Insecta) on carrion in the southeastern Iberian peninsula. Int J Legal Med 114:156–162

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashworth JR, Wall R (1994) Responses of the sheep blowflies Lucilia sericata and L. cuprina to odour and the development of semiochemical baits. Med Vet Entomol 8:303–309

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baskerville GL, Emin P (1969) Rapid estimation of heat accumulation from maximum and minimum temperatures. Ecology 50:514–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner DL, Greenberg B (1984) The genus Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the New World. J Med Entomol 21:105–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner DL, Greenberg B (1985) Distribution and medical ecology of the blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Peru. Ann Entomol Soc Am 78:565–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Benecke M (1998) Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing of necrophageous insects (Diptera, Coleoptera) in criminal forensic studies: validation and use in practice. Forensic Sci Int 98:157–168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benecke M (2003) Neglect of the elderly: cases and considerations. Proceedings of the first meeting of the European Association for Forensic Entomology, pp 29–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergeret M (1855) Infanticide, momification naturelle du cadavre. Ann Hyg Publique Med Leg 4:442–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyer JC, Enos WF, Stajic M (1980) Drug identification through analysis of maggots. J Forensic Sci 25:411–412

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blankaart S (1690) Schauplatz derer Raupen, Würm und Maden. Leipzig

  • Bornemissza GF (1957) An analysis of arthropod succession in carrion and the effect of its decomposition on the soil fauna. Aust J Zool 5:1-12

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourel B, Hédouin V, Martin-Bouyer L, Becart A, Tournel G, Deveaux M, Gosset D (1999) Effects of morphine in decomposing bodies on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Forensic Sci 44:354–358

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourel B, Fleurisse L, Hédouin V, Cailliez JC, Creusy C, Gosset D, Goff ML (2001a) Immunohistochemical contribution to the study of morphine metabolism in Calliphoridae larvae and implications in forensic entomotoxicology. J Forensic Sci 46:596–599

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourel B, Tournel G, Hédouin V, Deveaux M, Goff ML, Gosset D (2001b) Morphine extraction in necrophagous insects remains for determining ante-mortem opiate intoxication. Forensic Sci Int 120:127–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourel B, Tournel G, Hedouin V, Gosset D (2004) Entomofauna of buried bodies in Northern France. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Braack LEO (1981) Visitation patterns of principal species of the insect complex at carcasses in the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 24:33–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrd JH, Butler JF (1998) Effects of temperature on Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) development. J Med Entomol 35:694–698

    Google Scholar 

  • Campobasso CP, Introna F (2001) The forensic entomologist in the context of the forensic pathologist’s role. Forensic Sci Int 120:132–139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campobasso CP, Di Vella G, Introna F (2001) Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Sci Int 120:18–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campobasso CP, Gherardi M, Caligara M, Sironi L, Introna F (2004) Drug analysis in blowfly larvae and in human tissues: a comparative study. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson DA, Geden CJ, Bernier UR (1999) Identification of pupal exuviae of Nasonia vitripennis and Muscidifurax raptorellus parasitoids using cuticular hydrocarbons. Biol Control 15:97–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho LML, Linhares XL (2001) Seasonality of insect succession and pig carcass decomposition in a natural forest area in southeastern Brazil. J Forensic Sci 46:604–608

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caterino MS, Cho S, Sperling FA (2000) The current state of insect molecular systematics: a thriving Tower of Babel. Annu Rev Entomol 45:1-54

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Catts EP, Goff ML (1992) Forensic entomology in criminal investigations. Annu Rev Entomol 37:253–272

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Catts EP, Haskell NH (1990) Entomology and death: a procedural guide. Joyce’s Print Shop, Clemson, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark MA, Worrell MB, Pless JE (1997) Postmortem changes in soft tissues. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 151–170

  • Clery JM (2001) Stability of prostate specific antigen (PSA), and subsequent Y-STR typing, of Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) maggots reared from a simulated postmortem sexual assault. Forensic Sci Int 120:72–76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davies L (1990) Species composition and larval habitats of blow fly (Calliphoridae) populations in upland areas in England and Wales. Med Vet Entomol 4:61–88

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davies L, Ratcliffe GG (1994) Development rates of some pre-adult stages in blowflies with reference to low temperatures. Med Vet Entomol 8:245–254

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JB, Goff ML. (2000) Decomposition patterns in terrestrial and intertidal habitats on Oahu Island and Coconut Island, Hawaii. J Forensic Sci 45:836–842

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deonier CC (1940) Carcass temperatures and their relation to winter blowfly populations and activity in the Southwest. J Econ Entomol 33:166–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillon N, Austin AD, Bartowsky E (1996) Comparison of preservation techniques for DNA extraction from hymenopterous insects. Insect Mol Biol 5:21–24

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erzinclioglu YZ (1983) The application of entomology to forensic medicine. Med Sci Law 23:57–63

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erzinclioglu YZ (1990) On the interpretation of maggot evidence in forensic cases. Med Sci Law 30:65–66

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erzinclioglu YZ (1996) Blowflies. Richmond Publishing, Slough, UK

  • Fabritius K, Klunker R (1991) Die Larven- und Puparienparasitoide von synanthropen Fliegen in Europa. Merkbl Angew Parasitenkd Schädlingsbekämpf 32:1–-24

    Google Scholar 

  • Faucherre J, Cherix D, Wyss C (1999) Behavior of Calliphora vicina (Diptera, Calliphoridae) under extreme conditions. J Insect Behav 12:687–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher P, Wall R, Ashworth JR (1998) Attraction of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) to carrion bait in the field. Bull Entomol Res 88:611–616

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller ME (1934) The insect inhabitants of carrion: a study in animal ecology. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Bulletin 82

    Google Scholar 

  • Gagliano-Candela R, Aventaggiato L (2001) The detection of toxic substances in entomological specimens. Int J Legal Med 114:197–203

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gasser RB, Chilton NB (2001) Applications of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) to taxonomy, diagnosis, population genetics and molecular evolution of parasitic nematodes. Vet Parasitol 101:201–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geden CJ (1997) Development models for the filth fly parasitoids Spalangia gemina, S. cameroni, and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) under constant and variable temperatures. Biol Control 9:185–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geden CJ, Bernier UR, Carlson DA, Sutton BD (1998) Identification of Muscidifurax spp., parasitoids of muscoid flies, by composition patterns of cuticular hydrocarbons. Biol Control 12:200–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goddard J, Lago PK (1985) Notes on blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) succession on carrion in Northern Mississippi. J Entomol Sci 20:312–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Godfray HCJ (1994) Parasitoids: behavioral and evolutionary ecology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.

  • Goff ML (1991) Comparison of insect species associated with decomposing remains recovered inside dwellings and outdoors on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. J Forensic Sci 3:748–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Flynn MM (1991) Determination of postmortem interval by arthropod succession: a case study from the Hawaiian Island. J Forensic Sci 36:607–614

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Lord WD (1994) Entomotoxicology: a new area for forensic investigation. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 15:51–57

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Lord WD (2001) Entomotoxicology: insects as toxicological indicators and the impact of drugs and toxins on insect development. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 331–340

  • Goff ML, Odom CB (1987) Forensic entomology in the Hawaiian Islands: three case studies. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 8:45–50

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Odom CB, Early M (1986) Estimation of postmortem interval by entomological techniques: a case study from Oahu, Hawaii. Bull Soc Vector Ecol 11:242–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Omori AI, Goodbrod JR (1989) Effect of cocaine in tissues on the rate of development of Boettcherisca peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). J Med Entomol 26:91–93

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Brown WA, Hewadikaram KA, Omori AI (1991) Effects of heroin in decomposing tissues on the development rate of Boettcherisca peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and implications of this effect on estimation of postmortem intervals using arthropod development patterns. J Forensic Sci 36:537–542

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goff ML, Miller ML, Paulson JD, Lord WD, Richards E, Omori AI (1997) Effects of 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine in decomposing tissues on the development of Parasarcophaga ruficornis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and detection of the drug in postmortem blood, liver tissue, larvae, and puparia. J Forensic Sci 42:276–280

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grassberger M, Frank C (2003a) Initial study of arthropod succession on pig carrion in a central European urban habitat. J Med Entomol:40

    Google Scholar 

  • Grassberger M, Frank C (2003b) Temperature-dependent development of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis and its forensic implications. Med Vet Entomol 17:257–262

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grassberger M, Reiter C (2001) Effect of temperature on Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) development with special reference to the isomegalen- and isomorphen-diagram. Forensic Sci Int 120:32–36

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002a) Effect of temperature on development of the forensically important holarctic blowfly Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 128:177–182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grassberger M, Reiter C (2002b) Effect of temperature on development of Liopygia (=Sarcophaga) argyrostoma (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and its forensic implications. J Forensic Sci 47:1332–1336

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg B (1984) Two cases of human myiasis caused by Phaenicia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Chicago area hospitals. J Med Entomol 21:615

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg B (1985) Forensic entomology: case studies. Bull Entomol Soc Am 31:25–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg B (1990) Nocturnal oviposition behaviour of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 27:807–810

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg B (1991) Flies as forensic indicators. J Med Entomol 28:565–577

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg B, Kunich JC (2002) Entomology and the law: flies as forensic indicators. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunatilake K, Goff ML (1989) Detection of organophosphate poisoning in a putrefying body by analyzing arthropod larvae. J Forensic Sci 34:714–716

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall MJR (1995) Trapping the flies that cause myiasis: their responses to host-stimuli. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 89:333–357

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall RD (2001) Perceptions and status of forensic entomology In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 1–15

  • Hall MJR, Farkas R, Kelemen F, Hosier MJ, El-Khoga JM (1995) Orientation of agents of wound myiasis to hosts and artificial stimuli in Hungary. Med Vet Entomol 9:77–84

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey M, Dadour I, Gaudieri S (2003) Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene: potential for distinction between immature stages of some forensically important fly species (Diptera) in western Australia. Forensic Sci Int 131:134–139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haskell NH, McShaffrey DG, Hawley DA, Williams RE, Pless JE (1989) Use of aquatic insects in determining submersion interval. J Forensic Sci 34:622–632

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haskell NH, Hall RD, Cervenka VJ, Clark MA (1997) On the body: insect’s life stage presence, their postmortem artifacts. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 415–448

  • Hauser G (1926) Ein Beitrag zum Madenfraß an menschlichen Leichen. Dtsch Z Gesamte Gerichtl Med 7:179–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedouin V, Bourel B, Becart A, Tournel G, Deveaux M, Goff ML, Gosset D (2001) Determination of drug levels in larvae of Protophormia terraenovae and Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine. J Forensic Sci 46:12–14

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henßge C, Madea B, Knight B, Nokes L, Krompecher T (1995) The estimation of the time since death in the early postmortem interval. Arnold, London

  • Henßge C, Althaus L, Bolt J, Freislederer A, Haffner HT, Henßge CA, Hoppe B, Schneider V (2000a) Experiences with a compound method for estimating the time since death. I. Rectal temperature nomogram for time since death. Int J Legal Med 113:303–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henßge C, Althaus L, Bolt J, Freislederer A, Haffner HT, Henßge CA, Hoppe B, Schneider V (2000b) Experiences with a compound method for estimating the time since death. II. Integration of non-temperature-based methods. Int J Legal Med 113:320–331

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Higley LG, Haskell NH (2001) Insect development and forensic entomology. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) forensic entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 287–302

  • Hobischak NR, Anderson GS (1999) Freshwater-related death investigations in British Columbia in 1995–1996, a review of coroner’s cases. Can Soc Forensic Sci 32:97–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobischak NR, Anderson GS (2002) Time of submergence using aquatic invertebrate succession and decompositional changes. J Forensic Sci 47:142–151

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holdaway FG, Evans AC (1930) Parasitism a stimulus to pupation: Alysia manducator in relation to the host Lucilia sericata. Nature 125:598–599

    Google Scholar 

  • Horoszkiewicz S von (1902) Casuistischer Beitrag zur Lehre von der Benagung der Leichen durch Insekten. Vierteljahresschr Gerichtl Med 23:235–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Introna F, Campobasso CP (2000) Forensic dipterology. In: Papp L, Darvas B (eds) Contributions to a manual of palaearctic diptera. 1. General and applied dipterology. Science Herald, Budapest, pp 793–846

  • Introna F, Altamura BM, Dell’Erba A, Dattoli V (1989) Time since death definition by experimental reproduction of Lucilia sericata cycles in growth cabinet. J Forensic Sci 34:478–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Introna F, Lo Dico C, Caplan YH, Smialek JE (1990) Opiate analysis in cadaveric blowfly larvae as an indicator of narcotic intoxication. J Forensic Sci 35:118–122

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Introna F, Suman TW, Smialek JE (1991) Sarcosaprophagous fly activity in Maryland. J Forensic Sci 36:238–243

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Introna F, Campobasso CP, Di Fazio A (1998) Three case studies in forensic entomology from southern Italy. J Forensic Sci 43:210–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Introna F, Campobasso CP, Goff ML (2001) Entomotoxicology. Forensic Sci Int 120:42–47

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Junqueira ACM, Lessinger AC, Azeredo-Espin AML (2002) Methods for the recovery of mitochondrial DNA sequences from museum specimens of myiasis-causing flies. Med Vet Entomol 16:39–45

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamal AS (1958) Comparative study of thirteen species of sarcosaprophagous Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera). I. Bionomics. Ann Entomol Soc Am 51:261–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaneshrajah G, Turner B (2004) Calliphora vicina larvae grow at different rates on different body tissues. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Keiper JB, Chapman EG, Foote BA (1997) Midge larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) as indicators of postmortem submersion interval of carcasses in a woodland stream: a preliminary report. J Forensic Sci. 42:1074–1079

    Google Scholar 

  • Kintz P, Tracqui A, Mangin P (1990) Toxicology and fly larvae on a putrefied cadaver. J Forensic Sci Soc 30:243–246

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kintz P, Tracqui A, Mangin P (1994) Analysis of opiates in fly larvae sampled on a putrefied cadaver. J Forensic Sci Soc 34:95–97

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knight B (1991) Forensic pathology. Edward Arnold, London

  • Krahmer FL (1857) Handbuch der gerichtlichen Medizin. 2. Aufl. Berlin

  • LaSalle J, Gauld ID (1991) Parasitic Hymenoptera and the biodiversity crisis. Redia 74:315–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Leclercq M (1983) Entomologie et médecine légale; datation de la mort, observation indite. Rev Med Liege 38:735–738

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leclercq J, Leclercq M (1948) Données bionomiques pour Calliphora erythrocephala (Meigen) et cas d’application à la medecine légale. Bull Soc Entomol Fr 53:101–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord WD, Catts EP, Scarboro DA, Hadfield DB (1986) The green blow fly, Lucilia illustris (Meigen), as an indicator of human postmortem interval: a case of homicide from Fort Lewis, Washington. Bull Soc Vector Ecol 11:271–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Loxdale HD, Lushai G (1998) Molecular markers in entomology. Bull Entomol Res 88:577–600

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malgorn Y, Coquoz R (1999) DNA typing for identification of some species of Calliphoridae: an interest in forensic entomology. Forensic Sci Int 102:111–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mann RW, Bass WM, Meadows L (1990) Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. J Forensic Sci 35:103–111

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marchenko MJ (1980) Classifying of cadaveric entomofauna. Biology of flies: the forensic medical role. Sud-Med Ekspert 23:17–20

  • Marchenko MI (1988) Medico-legal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of the time since death. Acta Medicinae Et Socialis Organe Officiel De L’Academie Internationale De Medicine Legale Et De Medicine Sociale 38:257–302.

  • Marchenko MJ (2001) Medicolegal relevance of cadaver entomofauna for the determination of time since death. Forensic Sci Int 120:89–109

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight BE (1981) The washing away of wrongs: forensic medicine in thirteenth-century China. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    Google Scholar 

  • McWatters HG, Saunders DS (1998) Maternal temperature has different effects on the photoperiodic response and duration of larval diapause in blow fly (Calliphora vicina) strains collected at two latitudes. Physiol Entomol 23:369–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mégnin JP (1894) La faune des cadavres: application de l’entomologie a la médecine légale. Masson et Gauthiers-Villars, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Mende LJK (1829) Ausführliches Handbuch der gerichtlichen Medizin für Gesetzgeber, Rechtsgelehrte, Aerzte und Wundaerzte, Teil 5

  • Merrit RW, Wallace JR (2001) The role of aquatic insects in forensic investigations. In: Byrd JH, Castner JL (eds) Forensic entomology: the utility of arthropods in legal investigations. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 177–222

  • Miller ML, Lord WD, Goff ML, Donnelly D, McDonough ET, Alexis JC (1994) Isolation of amitriptyline and nortriptyline from fly pupariae (Phoridae) and beetle exuviae (Dermestidae) associated with mummified human remains. J Forensic Sci 39:1305–1313

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishida K, Shinonaga S, Kano R (1986) Growth tables of fly larvae for the estimation of postmortem intervals. Ochanomizu Med J 34:9–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolte KB, Pinder RD, Lord WD (1992) Insect larvae used to detect cocaine poisoning in a decomposed body. J Forensic Sci 37:1179–1185

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P (1959a) Studies on the significance of flies in the transmission of poliomyelitis. III. The composition of the blow fly fauna and the activity of the flies in relation to the weather during the epidemic season of poliomyelitis in south Finland. Ann Entomol Fenn 25:137–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P (1959b) Studies on the significance of flies in the transmission of poliomyelitis. IV. The composition of the blow fly fauna in different part of Finland during 1958. Ann Entomol Fenn 25:137–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P (1965) The flying activity of blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) in subarctic conditions. Ann Entomol Fenn 31:242–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P (1977) Sarcosaprophagous insects as forensic indicators. In: Tedeshi GC, Eckert WG, Tedeshi LG (eds) Forensic medicine: a study in trauma and environmental hazards, vol 2, Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 1072–1095

  • Nuorteva P, Nuorteva SL (1982) The fate of mercury in sarcosaprophagous flies and in insects eating them. Ambio 11:34–37

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P, Isokoski M, Laiho K (1967) Studies on the possibilities of using blowflies (Dipt.) as medicolegal indicators in Finland. Ann Entomol Fenn 33:217–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuorteva P, Schumann H, Isokoski M, Laiho K (1974) Studies on the possibilities of using blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as medicolegal indicators in Finland. Ann Entomol Fenn 40:70–74

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien C, Turner B (2004) Impact of paracetamol on the development of Calliphora vicina larval development. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Orfila MJB, Lesueur CA (1831) Traité des exhumations juridiques. Paris

  • Pääbo S (1989) Ancient DNA: extraction, characterization, molecular cloning, and enzymatic amplification. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:1939–1943

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pääbo S, Higushi RG, Wilson AC (1989) Ancient DNA and the polymerase chain reaction. J Biol Chem 264:9709–9712

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payne JA (1965) A summer carrion study of the baby pig Sus scrofa Linnaeus. Ecology 46:592–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne JA, King EW (1972) Insect succession and decomposition of pig carcases in water. J Ga Entomol Soc 7:153–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne JA, King EW, Beinhart G (1968) Arthropod succession and decomposition of buried pigs. Nature 219:1180–1181

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pien K, Marichal M, Grootaert P, De Boeck G, Samyn N, Boonen T, Vits K, Wood M, Morris M (2004) The detection of nordiazepam and its metabolite oxazepam in one single postfeeding larva and puparium of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using the LC/MS-MS. Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Povolný D, Verves Y (1997) The flesh-flies of central Europe. Spixiana Suppl 24:1–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Price PW (1997) Insect ecology. Wiley, New York

  • Rath PM, Ansorg R (2000) Identification of medically important Aspergillus species by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) of the PCR-amplified intergenic spacer region. Mycoses 43:381–386

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reed HB (1958) A study of dog carcass communities in Tennessee, with special references to the insects. Am Midl Nat 59:213–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinhard H (1882) Beiträge zur Gräberfauna. Verh Kaiserl-Königl Zool-Bot Ges Wien 31:207–210

  • Reiter C (1984) Zum Wachstumsverhalten der Maden der blauen Schmeißfliege Calliphora vicina. Z Rechtsmed 91:295–308

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter C, Wolleneck G (1982) Bemerkungen zur Morphologie forensisch bedeutsamer Fliegenmaden. Z Rechtsmed 89:197–206

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter C, Wolleneck G (1983) Zur Artbestimmung der Maden forensisch bedeutsamer Schmeißfliegen. Z Rechtsmed 90:309–316

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richards EN, Goff ML (1997) Arthropod succession on exposed carrion in three contrasting tropical habitats on Hawaii Island, Hawaii. J Med Entomol 34:328–339

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez WC, Bass WM (1983) Insect activity and its relationship to decay rates of human cadavers in East Tennessee. J Forensic Sci 28:423–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez WC, Bass WM (1985) Decomposition of buried bodies and methods that may aid in their location. J Forensic Sci 30:836–852

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler DW, Fuke C, Court F, Pounder DJ (1995) Drug accumulation and elimination in Calliphora vicina larvae. Forensic Sci Int 71:191–197

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler DW, Robertson L, Brown G, Fuke C, Pounder DJ (1997a) Barbiturate and analgesics in Calliphora vicina larvae. J Forensic Sci 42:481–485

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler DW, Chuter G, Senevematne C, Pounder DJ (1997b) Commentary on ‘Sadler DW, Robertson L, Brown G, Fuke C, Pounder DJ’, Barbiturates and analgesics in Calliphora vicina larvae. J Forensic Sci 42:1214–1215

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler DW, Richardson J, Haigh S, Bruce G, Pounder DJ (1997c) Amitryptiline accumulation and elimination in Calliphora vicina larvae. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 18:397–403

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sambrook J, Russel DW (2001) Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders DS (1975) Manipulation of the length of the sensitive period, and the induction of pupal diapause in the flesh-fly Sarcophaga argyrostoma. J Entomol 50:107–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz H (1928) Phoriden in doodkisten. Natuurhist Maandbl 17:150–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider P (1936) Leichenzerstörung durch Madenfraß. Wie lange lag die Leiche im Gebüsch? Arch Kriminol 98:216–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenly K, Reid W (1987) Dynamics of heterotrophic succession in carrion arthropod assemblages: discrete series or a continuum of change? Oecologia 73:192–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenly K, Goff ML, Wells JD, Lord WD (1996) Quantifying statistical uncertainty in succession-based entomological estimates of the postmortem interval in death scene investigations: a simulation study. Am Entomol 42:106–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumann H (1971) Die Gattung Lucilia (Goldfliegen). Merkbl Angew Parasitenkd Schädlingsbekämpf 18:1–20

  • Schröder H, Klotzbach H, Elias S, Augustin C, Pueschel K (2003) Use of PCR-RFLP for differentiation of calliphorid larvae (Diptera, Calliphoridae) on human corpses. Forensic Sci Int 132:76–81

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shean BSL, Messinger L, Papworth (1993) Observations of differential decomposition on sun exposed vs. shaded pig carrion in coastal Washington State. J Forensic Sci 38:938–949

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman RA (2000) Wound myiasis in urban and suburban United States. Arch Intern Med 160:2004–2014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimko N, Liu L, Lang BF, Burger, G (2001) GOBASE: the organelle genome database. Nucleic Acids Res 29:128–132

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simon C, Frati F, Beckenbach A, Crespi B, Liu H, Flook P (1994) Evolution, weighting and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial gene sequences and a compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction primers. Ann Entomol Soc Am 87:651–701

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh D, Bharti M (2001) Further observations on the nocturnal oviposition behaviour of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 120:124–126

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith KE, Wall R (1997a) Asymmetric competition between larvae of the blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata in carrion. Ecol Entomol 22:467–474

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith KE, Wall R (1997b) The use of carrion as breeding sites by the blowfly Lucilia sericata and other Calliphoridae. Med Vet Entomol 11:38–44.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith KGV (1986) A manual of forensic entomology. British Museum, London

  • Sorg MH, Dearborn JH, Monahan EI, Ryan HF, Sweeney KG, David E (1997) Forensic taphonomy in marine contexts. In: Haglund WD, Sorg MH (eds) Forensic taphonomy: the postmortem fate of human remains. CRC, Boca Raton, Fla., pp 567–604

  • Sperling FA, Anderson GS, Hickey DA (1994) A DNA-based approach to the identification of insect species used for postmortem interval estimation. J Forensic Sci 39:418–427

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stafford F (1971) Insects of a medieval burial. Sci Anthropol 7:6–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JR, Wall R (1996) Species, sub-species and hybrid populations of the blowflies Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Proc R Soc Lond B 263:1335–1341

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JR, Wall R (2001) Genetic relationships between blowflies (Calliphoridae) of forensic importance. Forensic Sci Int 120:116–23

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JR, Wall R, Wells JD (2002) Paraphyly in Hawaiian hybrid blowfly populations and the evolutionary history of anthropophilic species. Insect Mol Biol 11:141–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tessmer JW, Meek CL, Wright VL (1995) Circadian patterns of oviposition by necrophilous flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Southwest Entomol 24:439–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomberlin JK, Adler PH (1998) Seasonal colonization and decomposition of rat carrion in water and on land in an open field in South Carolina. J Med Entomol 35:704–709

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tracqui A, Keyser-Tracqui C, Kintz P, Ludes B (2004) Entomotoxicology for the forensic toxicologist: much ado about nothing? Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Vance GM, VanDyk JK, Rowley WA (1995) A device for sampling aquatic insects associated with carrion in water. J Forensic Sci 40:479–482

    Google Scholar 

  • VanLaerhoven SL, Anderson GS (1999) Insect succession on buried carrion in two biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia. J Forensic Sci 44:31–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent S, Vian JM, Carlotti MP (2000) Partial sequencing of the cytochrome oxydase b subunit gene I: a tool for the identification of European species of blow flies for postmortem interval estimation. J Forensic Sci 45:820–823

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vinogradova EB (1986) Geographic variation and ecological control of diapause in flies. In: Taylor F, Karban R (eds) The evolution of insect life-cycles. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 35–47

  • Vinogradova EB (1991) Diapause in flies and its control (in Russian with English summary). Proc ZIN RAS 214, St. Petersburg

  • Vinogradova EB, Marchenko MJ (1984) The use of temperature parameters of fly growth in the medicolegal practice. Sud-Med Ekspert 27:16–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinogradova EB, Zinovjeva KB (1972) Maternal induction of larval diapause in the blowfly Calliphora vicina. J Insect Physiol 18:2401–2409

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wall R, Fisher P (2001) Visual and olfactory cue interaction in resource-location by the blowfly, Lucilia sericata. Physiol Entomol 26:212–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wall R, Warnes ML (1994) Responses of the sheep blowfly Lucilia sericata to carrion odour and carbon dioxide. Entomol Exp Appl 73:239–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallman JF, Donnellan SC (2001) The utility of mitochondrial DNA sequences for the identification of forensically important blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in southeastern Australia. Forensic Sci Int 120:60–67

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson EJ, Carlton CE (2003) Spring succession of necrophilous insects on wildlife carcasses in Louisiana. J Med Entomol 40:338–347

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weismann A (1864) Die nachembryonale Entwicklung der Musciden nach Beobachtungen an Musca vomitoria und Sarcophaga carnaria. Z Wiss Zool 14:187–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, King L (2001) Incidence of precocious egg development in flies of forensic importance (Calliphoridae). Pan-Pac Entomol 77:235–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, LaMotte LR (1995) Estimating maggot age from weight using inverse prediction. J Forensic Sci 40:585–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Sperling FA (1999) Molecular phylogeny of Chrysomya albiceps and C. rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Med Entomol 36:222–226

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Sperling FA (2000) A DNA-based approach to the identification of insect species used for postmortem interval estimation and partial sequencing of the cytochrome oxydase b subunit gene I: a tool for the identification of European species of blow flies for postmortem interval estimation. J Forensic Sci 45:1358–1359

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Sperling FA (2001) DNA-based identification of forensically important Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Forensic Sci Int 120:110–115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Byrd JH, Tantawi TI (1999) Key to third-instar chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from carrion in the continental United States. J Med Entomol 36:638–641

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Pape T, Sperling FAH (2001a) DNA based identification and molecular systematics of forensically important Sarcophagidae (Diptera). J Forensic Sci 46:87–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells JD, Introna F Jr, Di Vella G, Campobasso CP, Hayes J, Sperling FA (2001b) Human and insect mitochondrial DNA analysis from maggots. J Forensic Sci 46:685–687

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whiting AR (1967) The biology of the parasitic wasp Mormoniella vitripennis (Walker). Q Rev Biol 42:333–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth VB (1972) The principles of insect physiology. Chapman and Hall, London

  • Williams H (1984) A model for the aging of fly larvae in forensic entomology. Forensic Sci Int 25:191–199

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JG, Kubelik AR, Livak KJ, Rafalski JA, Tingey SV (1990) DNA polymorphisms amplified by arbitrary primers are useful as genetic markers. Nucleic Acids Res 18:6531–6535

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yovanovich P (1888) Entomologie appliquée à la Médecine légale. Olliver-Henry, Paris

  • Zehner R, Amendt J, Krettek R (2004a) STR typing of human DNA from fly larvae fed on decomposing bodies. J Forensic Sci (in press)

  • Zehner R, Amendt J, Schütt S, Sauer S, Krettek R, Povolný D (2004b) Genetic identification of forensically important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Int J Legal Med:118

    Google Scholar 

  • Zumpt F (1965) Myiasis in man and animals in the old world. Butterworths, London

Download references

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Prof. Dr. Dietrich Mebs (Frankfurt, Germany) and Prof. Dr. Richard Wall (Bristol, UK) for their helpful comments on the language and content of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany

    Jens Amendt & Richard Zehner

  2. FB 19, FG Ökologie, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany

    Roman Krettek

Authors
  1. Jens Amendt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roman Krettek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Richard Zehner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jens Amendt.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amendt, J., Krettek, R. & Zehner, R. Forensic entomology. Naturwissenschaften 91, 51–65 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0493-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0493-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy