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Insects
Special Issues
Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications
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Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical and Livestock Entomology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3759

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ian R. Dadour

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Source Certain PO Box 1570, Wangara, WA 6947, Australia
2. School of Medical, Molecular & Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Interests: forensic entomology; water forensics; decomposition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paola A. Magni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
Interests: molecular forensics; forensic entomology; taphonomy; water forensics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. David F. Cook

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6161, Australia
Interests: managing flies for crop pollination; forensic entomology; fly pollination; alternative pollinators for horticultural crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The following Special Issue will incorporate any research in this discipline, including understanding the developmental stages of various insect species associated with human or animal remains. This includes studying biotic and abiotic factors that affect the growth and development of insects such as blowflies, flesh flies, and beetles. Understanding which insects are likely to be present at a crime scene and their stages of development is extremely important when determining the time since death. The decomposition process is dynamic, and insects play a fundamental role in this process. What are the different insects that are associated with the different stages of decomposition? How are they attracted, and do they interact with this ephemeral resource? Furthermore, many methods have been developed for collecting and identifying insect evidence, but there are numerous gaps in the literature, such as how best to preserve specimens for extracting DNA and drugs from immatures.

The future direction of research covers many aspects, such as the fact that most continents and regions have different insect species, which can make it challenging to apply findings universally. In addition, adapting new technologies to enhance the accuracy of forensic methods and processes, such as identifying species using DNA and advanced imaging techniques (computed tomography, hyperspectral). Finally, it is encouraging to observe that forensic entomology is also combining with other disciplines like toxicology, microbiology, anthropology, and pathology to provide a more comprehensive understanding of crime scenes.

Prof. Dr. Ian R. Dadour
Dr. Paola A. Magni
Dr. David F. Cook
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forensic entomology
  • fly ecology
  • taphonomy
  • taxonomy
  • molecular genetics
  • imaging
  • toxicology
  • life history
  • development
  • postmortem interval

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4732 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Development of Global–Local Balanced Vision Transformer Deep Learning with DNA Barcoding for Automated Identification and Validation of Forensic Sarcosaphagous Flies
by Yixin Ma, Lin Niu, Bo Wang, Dianxin Li, Yanzhu Gao, Shan Ha, Boqing Fan, Yixin Xiong, Bin Cong, Jianhua Chen and Jianqiang Deng
Insects 2025, 16(5), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050529 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 120
Abstract
Morphological classification is the gold standard for identifying necrophilous flies, but its complexity and the scarcity of experts make accurate classification challenging. The development of artificial intelligence for autonomous recognition holds promise as a new approach to improve the efficiency and accuracy of [...] Read more.
Morphological classification is the gold standard for identifying necrophilous flies, but its complexity and the scarcity of experts make accurate classification challenging. The development of artificial intelligence for autonomous recognition holds promise as a new approach to improve the efficiency and accuracy of fly morphology identification. In our previous study, we developed a GLB-ViT (Global–Local Balanced Vision Transformer)-based deep learning model for fly species identification, which demonstrated improved identification capabilities. To expand the model’s application scope to meet the practical needs of forensic science, we extended the model based on the forensic science practice scenarios, increased the database of identifiable sarcosaphagous fly species, and successfully developed a WeChat Mini Program based on the model. The results show that the model can achieve fast and effective identification of ten common sarcosaphagous flies in Hainan, and the overall correct rate reaches 94.00%. For the few cases of identification difficulties and suspicious results, we have also constructed a rapid molecular species identification system based on DNA Barcoding technology to achieve accurate species identification of the flies under study. As the local fly database continues to be improved, the model is expected to be applicable to local forensic practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications)
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11 pages, 681 KiB  
Article
Molecular Diversity of Three Forensically Relevant Dipterans from Cadavers in Lahore, Pakistan
by Atif Adnan, Sundus Mona, Allah Rakha, Shahid Nazir, Hongbo Wang and Fu Ren
Insects 2025, 16(4), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040381 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 460
Abstract
Molecular diversity, which reflects variation in species abundance and genetic structure, plays a pivotal role in forensic entomology by enabling the accurate identification of insect evidence through tools such as DNA barcoding. In Pakistan, the absence of trained forensic entomologists and limited research [...] Read more.
Molecular diversity, which reflects variation in species abundance and genetic structure, plays a pivotal role in forensic entomology by enabling the accurate identification of insect evidence through tools such as DNA barcoding. In Pakistan, the absence of trained forensic entomologists and limited research on insect biodiversity hinder the effective use of entomological evidence in criminal investigations. Traditional morphological identification methods are insufficient for resolving complex forensic cases, particularly when dealing with immature insect stages. This highlights the urgent need for molecular approaches, such as DNA barcoding, to enhance species identification and genetic analysis of forensically relevant insects. This study uniquely focuses on evaluating the utility of a 658 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene for identifying dipteran species collected from cadavers in Lahore, Pakistan. The primary goal was to identify forensically relevant insect species, assess their genetic diversity and population structure, and compare these findings with global data to contextualize the results within forensic entomology. Three blow fly species were identified: Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), Chrysomya saffranea (Bigot, 1877), and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart, 1843). Low genetic diversity was observed within populations, while significant genetic differentiation among populations was indicated by a high fixation index (FST = 0.83992). These findings suggest unique genetic signatures for blow fly populations in Lahore. This study underscores the importance of molecular tools like DNA barcoding for species identification and highlights the need for further research to establish a comprehensive database of forensically relevant insects in Pakistan, given the limited species diversity and unique genetic profiles observed. By laying the groundwork for future research, this study contributes to advancing forensic entomology in Pakistan by improving species identification, which, when combined with future thermobiological data, can enhance postmortem interval (PMI) estimation and forensic investigations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications)
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34 pages, 6550 KiB  
Article
Contribution to the Diversity of the Genus Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): Checklist, Species Distribution, and New Records for Greece
by Savvas Zafeiriou, Gabriella Dimitra Rakopoulou, Georgios Agapakis, Theodora Petanidou and Sotiris Alexiou
Insects 2025, 16(4), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040359 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The current study presents new records and an updated checklist of the genus Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) for Greece. The records were compiled from published literature, identification of newly collected material obtained through passive (trapping) and active (hand collecting, net sweeping) sampling conducted between [...] Read more.
The current study presents new records and an updated checklist of the genus Sarcophaga (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) for Greece. The records were compiled from published literature, identification of newly collected material obtained through passive (trapping) and active (hand collecting, net sweeping) sampling conducted between 2018 and 2024, and the examination of material from two museum collections: Entomological Collection of the Goulandris Natural History Museum (1983–1987) and the Melissotheque of the Aegean (2004–2024). After the examination of 927 male specimens from 108 localities and the synthesis of the available literature, a total of 72 species distributed across 18 subgenera were documented. Among these, Sarcophaga ferox (Villeneuve, 1908) and Sarcophaga anaces (Walker, 1849) are newly records for Greece, while Sarcophaga beckiana (Lehrer, 1996) represents the first documented occurrence of the species in Europe. The findings represent the most contemporary contribution to the understanding of the species diversity and distribution of the genus Sarcophaga in Greece. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications)
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12 pages, 826 KiB  
Article
Identification of Necrophagous Beetles (Coleoptera) Using Low-Resolution Real-Time PCR in the Buffer Zone of Kampinos National Park
by Tadeusz Malewski, Katarzyna Leszczyńska, Katarzyna Daria Borzuchowska, Maciej Sierakowski, Tomasz Oszako and Justyna Anna Nowakowska
Insects 2025, 16(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020215 - 15 Feb 2025
Viewed by 852
Abstract
Forensic entomology is concerned with the study of arthropods that assist in criminal investigations. Among them, necrophagous beetles (Coleoptera) play a crucial role as they are found in all stages of decomposition of corpses, which makes them valuable for forensic analysis. Accurate species [...] Read more.
Forensic entomology is concerned with the study of arthropods that assist in criminal investigations. Among them, necrophagous beetles (Coleoptera) play a crucial role as they are found in all stages of decomposition of corpses, which makes them valuable for forensic analysis. Accurate species identification is crucial for the effective use of entomological evidence. Efficient, cost-effective, and rapid methods are essential for this purpose. In the present study, we developed a novel assay that enables simple, inexpensive, and rapid identification of necrophagous beetle species. Using two primer sets targeting the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and analyzing the resulting SYBR Green I melting curves, we were able to identify fourteen beetle species: Aleochara curtula (Goeze, 1777), Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Scriba, 1791), Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus, 1758), Dermestes undulatus (Brahm, 1790), Hister unicolor (Linnaeus, 1758), Margarinotus brunneus (Fabricius, 1775), Necrodes littoralis (Linnaeus, 1758), Nicrophorus investigator (Zetterstedt, 1824), Ontholestes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758), Oiceoptoma thoracicum (Linnaeus, 1758), Philonthus cognatus (Stephens, 1832), Saprinus planiusculus (Motschulsky, 1849), Silpha tristis (Illiger, 1798), and Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758). Data on the melting temperature of the amplicon can be obtained within 60–90 min after DNA extraction. This study expands the understanding of the species composition of necrophagous Coleoptera, which is crucial for forensic entomology methods based on insect succession. Furthermore, it provides the first comprehensive data on necrophagous beetles in the vicinity of Kampinos National Park. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications)
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16 pages, 4247 KiB  
Article
Rapid and Accurate Detection of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Combined with Lateral Flow Dipstick
by Chengxin Ye, Xuan Tang, Fengqin Yang, Xiangyan Zhang, Yanjie Shang, Yang Xia, Yuanxing Wang, Shaojiang Guo, Lagabaiyila Zha, Yadong Guo and Dan Wen
Insects 2024, 15(12), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15121008 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 912
Abstract
Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is critical in the field of forensic science, and necrophagous insects play a significant role in this process. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a common necrophagous insect species, making its rapid and accurate identification essential. However, commonly [...] Read more.
Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is critical in the field of forensic science, and necrophagous insects play a significant role in this process. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a common necrophagous insect species, making its rapid and accurate identification essential. However, commonly used molecular biology methods, such as DNA barcode, still have some limitations in identifying necrophagous insects as they are often complex, time-consuming, and reliant on laboratory instruments. Therefore, in this study, we have developed an innovative detection system for the rapid and accurate identification of C. megacephala based on the Cytochrome b gene using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) in combination. The developed RPA-LFD detection system achieved complete amplification in just 15 min at 37 °C with good sensitivity and specificity. Only 7.8 × 10−4 ng or more of target DNA fragments were required, and a positive detection rate of 100% was achieved in 18 C. megacephala samples from actual cases. In addition, the ability of the developed RPA-LFD detection system in combination with rapid DNA extraction methods to enable on-site detection was preliminarily explored. The results suggested that when the RPA-LFD detection system was combined with the grinding ddH2O extraction method (a rapid DNA extraction method), the process from species acquisition to visualization of detection results could be completed in less than 20 min. In conclusion, this innovative RPA-LFD detection system outperforms commonly used molecular biology methods for C. megacephala identification in terms of speed, sensitivity and convenience, making it suitable for direct application at crime scenes, promising to provide important assistance in estimating PMI and expanding the impact of forensic entomological evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Entomology: From Basic Research to Practical Applications)
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