It is all about the insects: a retrospective on 20 years of forensic entomology highlights the importance of insects in legal investigations

• DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02628-6
• Publication Date: 2021-09-30T08:12:09Z
• Authors: Lena Lutz; Richard Zehner; Marcel A. Verhoff; Hansjürgen Bratzke; Jens Amendt
• Keywords: Entomology; Forensic Entomology

This study highlights the importance of insect evidence by evaluating 949 insect-associated cases, including 139 entomological reports, from 2001 to 2019 at Institute Legal Medicine Frankfurt/Germany. With a high number cases in summer months and low colder season, 78.5% bodies were found indoors, regardless year or month. In more than 80% where PMI information was available (n = 704), presumed ranged 1 21 days, period during which can provide day-specific estimate PMImin. insects have been identified species level 279), most infested one two with maximum 10 different species. Overall, total 55 found. Information on biology, activity distribution abundant taxa is given applied for 5 case histories estimating PMImins up over 6 months. Despite proved scientific development forensic entomology, are still rarely considered as tool work. The main reasons lack awareness (too) late involvement entomologist. Our work shows that entomology an independent discipline requires specialist expertise.