Impact of pesticides on Calliphoridae species: Insights into forensic entomotoxicology

Forensic entomotoxicology plays a vital role in criminal investigations, particularly in determining the cause of death and the time since death when a body is discovered in advanced stages of decomposition. Blow flies (Calliphoridae) are among the first insects to colonize a corpse, and their development stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult) are often used to determine minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) in forensic investigations. This review article presents unique insights into the interaction between pesticides and blow flies, revealing how toxic substances can disrupt normal growth patterns and lead to misestimations of mPMI. Significant findings indicate that exposure to specific pesticides can alter insect biology in ways that directly affect the accuracy of mPMI assessments. By exploring these interactions, this article underscores the necessity of incorporating forensic entomotoxicology into investigations, especially when traditional toxicological samples such as internal organs, body fluids, or tissue are unavailable or have deteriorated. The information presented is critical for refining mPMI estimates and enhancing the reliability of forensic evidence in challenging cases.