Forensic Entomology: Applications in Time-Since-Death Estimation

Abstract

Forensic entomology—the application of arthropod biology to legal investigations—has become a cornerstone method for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) or time since death when traditional medico-legal approaches are limited. This review synthesises classical and recent developments in entomological PMI estimation, covering insect colonisation patterns, developmental and successional approaches, sampling and laboratory protocols, thermal summation models, DNA and molecular identification, statistical and error-quantification methods, pitfalls and courtroom acceptance, and future directions. Emphasis is placed on practical application: how insect evidence is collected, interpreted, and presented, and what limitations investigators must account for (environmental variables, cadaver relocation, drugs/toxins, interspecific and intraspecific variability). Recent advances—standardised field protocols, improved developmental datasets, DNA barcoding for species identification and more robust statistical frameworks—have increased precision and reliability, but challenges remain in model validation, accounting for microclimate effects and quantifying uncertainty. This article provides investigators, pathologists, and researchers with a comprehensive and practical resource for entomology-based PMI estimation, cites key literature and recommends best practices to increase evidentiary value.