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In forensic investigation, determining the time and cause of death becomes challenging, especially in cases where the remains are found in advanced decomposition, rendering traditional toxicological samples unavailable or unreliable. Entomotoxicology, an emerging methodology within forensic science, leverages insect specimens collected from cadavers as alternative toxicological samples. Several laboratory and field research studies have highlighted the efficacy in detecting various drugs, toxins, and elements absorbed by insects feeding on cadaveric tissues, even at low concentrations. However, correlation studies between drug concentrations in conventional matrices and insects remain controversial due to unknown factors influencing drug metabolism and larval feeding activity. This paper presents four real cases in which human cadavers were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition, and toxicological analyses were performed on both insect samples and available matrices. The results presented complement the scant literature currently available on the application of entomotoxicology in real cases, providing insights into the correlation between larvae and human specimen results. Furthermore, guidelines to collect and preserve entomological evidence at the crime scene and during the autopsy for use in entomotoxicological analyses are provided. This advancement holds promise in aiding forensic investigations, particularly in cases where traditional methods cannot be applied or require supporting data for further validation.

The present study investigates the developmental process of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) pupae and their dependency on soil composition, moisture levels, and temperature changes. This research holds implications for forensic and veterinary applications, providing crucial insights for estimating minimum postmortem intervals and managing myiasis-causing flies in diverse environments. Specifically, the study explores the impact of five moisture content levels in loam and sandy soils (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) on the pupal development of Ch. rufifacies under two distinct constant temperature regimes (24 ± 1 °C and 30 ± 1 °C). A significant correlation was observed between soil type and temperature regarding the time required to complete the pupal stages; however, moisture had no significant impact. Larvae exhibited varying survival rates across the two temperatures and five moisture levels in the two types of soils, particularly under extremely lower moisture conditions (0%) at 30 ± 1 °C, failing to progress to the pupariation stage. Additionally, growth parameters such as pupal length and width of the fully formed puparia were significantly impacted by temperature, soil type, and moisture level. Adult head width was systematically measured across different moisture levels and soil types, revealing distinct temperature-dependent responses. Furthermore, a sex-specific analysis highlighted that female Ch. rufifacies consistently displayed larger head widths and higher emergence rates compared to their male counterparts. This research enhances our understanding of the intricate interrelationship among three environmental variables: soil type, moisture level, and temperature, elucidating their collective impact on the pupation processes of dipterans.