Forensic Entomology Cases Documented from Various Regions of India: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/3aebx685Keywords:
Forensic Investigation, Autopsy Findings, Medico-Legal Examination, Forensic insects, Necrophagus insects.Abstract
The examination of insect species inhabiting decaying cadavers often yields critical forensic insights, particularly
regarding the determination of the postmortem interval (PMI), or the time of death. The life cycle of an insect
operates akin to a precise chronometer; it commences its relentless ticking mere minutes or hours following
demise. The intricacies of insect life cycles profoundly influence the calculation of postmortem intervals, even
in instances where alternative methodologies are recognized for providing pertinent information. The present
findings illuminate the distinctive characteristics of the local insect fauna associated with human corpses in
various regions of India, as well as their ecological dynamics. Specimens of entomofauna were meticulously
collected during autopsy procedures from the deceased. This paper discusses ten case studies spanning from
historical to contemporary contexts within India. Among the subjects, whose ages ranged from a few months
to 52 years, six were male and four were female. Both suicide and homicide constituted the causes of death. The
primary objectives of this study were to gather data concerning the potential application of necrophagous insects
in criminal investigations and to identify the specific insect species colonizing human remains.
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