Challenges and considerations in forensic entomology: A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Forensic science
• Entomology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Forensic entomology applies insect biology to legal matters, aiding medico-criminal investigations.
• It involves identifying arthropods, estimating post-mortem intervals (PMI), and analyzing crime scene details.
• Insect succession patterns, especially Diptera and Coleoptera, are vital for PMI determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key insect species in criminal investigations.
• To discuss the significance of PMI intervals and recent advancements in the field.
• To analyze challenges and the scope of entomotoxicology in death investigations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of insect succession patterns on decomposing remains.
• Utilizing insects as forensic tools for detecting drugs and poisons.
• Integration of advanced techniques like infrared spectroscopy, omics, and molecular taxonomy.

Main Results:

• Insects, particularly flies and beetles, are crucial for decomposition dynamics and PMI estimation.
• Insects can reveal evidence, including drugs and poisons, even in degraded remains.
• New technologies enhance species identification, PMI accuracy, and case interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Forensic entomology significantly enhances criminal investigations by providing critical data from insect evidence.
• Despite advancements, environmental factors, insect behavior, and knowledge gaps pose challenges.
• Entomotoxicology offers a valuable scope for analyzing complex death investigations, especially for long-recovered remains.