Genetic identification of forensically important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Unequivocal identification of fly specimens is an essential requirement in forensic entomology. However, not all species can be determined at every developmental stage, which is illustrated by the flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), important members of the necrophagous insect fauna. Up to now no suitable key for the identification of the immature stages of this family of flies exists. DNA analysis of selected mitochondrial genes was applied to solve this problem. Sequence data of selected regions of the CO I and ND 5 genes of the most important European flesh fly taxa associated with cadavers are presented, which can act as reference standards for species determination.