| dc.description.abstract | Forensic entomology is the application of insects and other arthropods in a legal setting. Most commonly, forensic entomologists are asked to perform time of colonization calculations (TOC), which may equate to the post mortem interval (PMI) of the deceased. Those are made from entomological evidence collected or photographed at crime scenes and are calculated based off known insects in the area, developmental data sets for those species, and ambient temperature. This study is designed to equip forensic entomologists in the Harris County area with the most common forensically relevant insects as well as their developmental data sets based off case work done in the area. Data from fifty-two cases in the Harris County area was examined between 2015 and 2020 and the most common forensically relevant insects were determined. The most common order, with presence in every case, was Diptera. The most common families were Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. The most common species were Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricus) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). These data can be used in the future by other forensic entomologists as a guide for the most common forensically relevant insect species in Harris County as well as their development data to aid in TOC calculations and PMI estimations. It also helps show researchers what species do not have developmental data sets available and which species those studies should be performed on. | |
