Throughout history, insects have been closely linked to human environments. What may come as a surprise is that these tiny creatures have now become silent witnesses to crimes, capable of revealing hidden details that traditional evidence often cannot. This is the domain of forensic entomology, a scientific field that studies the relationship between insects, corpses, and crime scenes to provide investigators with crucial and reliable evidence.<br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />I. What Is Forensic Entomology?<br /><br />Forensic entomology is a specialized branch of biology and forensic science that focuses on the study of insects colonizing human remains after death. Each insect species has a specific life cycle and follows a predictable pattern of succession, making them valuable biological clocks that can be used to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI).<br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />II. The Role of Insects in Criminal Investigations<br /><br />1. Estimating the Time of Death: By analyzing the age of larvae or the type of insect present.<br /><br /><br />2. Determining the Location of Death: Certain insect species are habitat-specific (urban, rural, aquatic).<br /><br /><br />3. Detecting Body Relocation: Insects inconsistent with the environment of discovery may indicate that the body was moved.<br /><br /><br />4. Toxicological Evidence: Insect larvae can retain traces of drugs, poisons, or toxins long after the body has decomposed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />III. The Most Important Forensic Insects<br /><br />Blowflies (Calliphoridae): The first colonizers of a corpse and the most reliable indicators of PMI.<br /><br />Beetles (Coleoptera): Appear during later stages of decomposition, feeding on dry tissues.<br /><br />Moths and Mites: Found in the final stages, when only hair and dried skin remain.<br /><br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />IV. A Brief History of Forensic Entomology<br /><br />The earliest recorded case dates back to the 13th century in China, where the judge Song Ci used flies to identify a blood-stained sickle as the murder weapon.<br /><br />During the 19th and 20th centuries, forensic entomology developed in Europe and North America, becoming a cornerstone of modern forensic medicine.<br /><br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />Conclusion<br /><br />Forensic entomology demonstrates that even the smallest organisms can become investigators in the world of crime. Insects do not lie; their predictable behaviors and biological processes provide objective evidence that helps justice uncover the truth. This science continues to grow in importance, offering investigators powerful tools to solve some of the most complex and mysterious cases.<br /><br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University – the first university in Iraq.<br/><br/><a href=https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ar/education/ target=_blank>Goal 4</a>