Editing Forensic entomology (section)

===Flies===

[[Flies]] from the order [[Diptera]] are often found at a crime scene, because they are attracted to the chemicals released by decomposing bodies, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Martin C, Minchilli D, Francis F, Verheggen F | title = Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of the Fringed Larder Beetle ''Dermestes frischii'' to the Smell of a Cadaver at Different Decomposition Stages | journal = Insects | volume = 11 | issue = 4 | page = 238 | date = April 2020 | pmid = 32290328 | pmc = 7240428 | doi = 10.3390/insects11040238 | doi-access = free }}</ref> A dead body is a perfect environment for oviposition, the laying of eggs. The developing maggots will have a ready food source. Different types of flies can be found on dead bodies, the most significant of which are:
[[File:Decomposition01.jpg|thumb|Blowflies on a corpse]]

* Blow flies – Family [[Calliphoridae]]- Flies in this family are often metallic in appearance and between 10 and 14&nbsp;mm in length.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Collatz KG | chapter = Insect models for the study of aging. | veditors = Conn PM | title = Handbook of Models for Human Aging | date = January 2006 | pages = 241–252 | publisher = Academic Press | doi = 10.1016/B978-012369391-4/50022-9 | isbn = 978-0-12-369391-4 }}</ref> In addition to the name blow-fly, some members of this family are known as [[Calliphora latifrons|blue bottle fly]], [[cluster fly|cluster flies]], [[Lucilia (fly)|greenbottle]]s, or [[Phormia regina|black blowfly]]. A characteristic of the blow-fly is its 3-segmented [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Hatching from an egg to the first larval stage takes from eight hours to one day. [[Larva]]e have three stages of development (called [[instars]]); each stage is separated by a molting event. Molting can be defined as the process of new cuticle production while subsequently shedding the old cuticle.<ref>{{Citation| vauthors = Riddiford LM |title=Molting|date=2009 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Insects|pages=649–654|publisher=Elsevier|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-374144-8.00179-x|isbn=978-0-12-374144-8 }}</ref> Larvae's ideal habitat in regard to pupation are locations providing access to loose, damp soil and litter. The latter consists of temperate and rather tropical areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hairy Maggot Blow Flies|url=https://www.kznhealth.gov.za/environ/vector/blowflies.htm|access-date=2022-02-16|website=www.kznhealth.gov.za}}</ref> Worldwide, there are 1100 known species of blowflies, with 228 species in the [[Neotropics]], and a large number of species in [[Africa]] and Southern [[Europe]]. The most common area to find Calliphoridae species are in the countries of [[India]], [[Japan]], [[Central America]], and in the southern United States. The forensic importance of this fly is that it is the first [[insect]] to come in contact with [[carrion]] because they have the ability to smell death from up to {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} away.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/sep/23/flies-murder-natural-history-museum |title=Lord of the flies: the insect detectives |vauthors = Henley J |date=23 September 2010 |website=The Guardian |publisher= Guardian News and Media Ltd |access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> Some prominent species of Calliphoridae are ''[[Calliphora vomitoria]]'' and ''[[Calliphora vicina]].''

[[File:Sarcophaga nodosa.jpg|thumb|220px|Flesh fly on decomposing flesh]]
*[[Flesh flies]] – Family [[Sarcophagidae]]- Most flesh flies breed in carrion, dung, garbage, or decaying material, but a few species lay their eggs in the open wounds of mammals; hence their common name. Characteristics of the flesh-fly is its 3-segmented [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Most [[holarctic]] Sarcophagidae vary in size from 4 to 18&nbsp;mm in length (Tropical species can be larger) with black and gray longitudinal stripes on the [[thorax]] and checkering on the [[abdomen]]. Flesh-flies, being viviparous, frequently give birth to live young on [[corpses]] of human and other animals, at any stage of decomposition, from newly dead through to bloated or decaying (though the latter is more common). ''[[Sarcophaga barbata]]'' are specifically useful since they deposit maggots directly onto the decomposing body, their larger, visible size, and difference in activity during different stages. Their main limitation, however, is due to lack of information surrounding their geographic distribution and taxonomic features.
[[File:Postmortem interval changes (stages of death).png|thumb|400px|Timeline of postmortem changes ([[stages of death]]), including house fly eggs, larvae and pupae]]
*[[Housefly|House fly]] – Family [[Muscidae]]- is the most common of all [[flies]] found in homes, and indeed one of the most widely distributed insects; it is often considered a [[Pest (organism)|pest]] that can carry serious diseases. The adults are 6–9&nbsp;mm long. Their [[thorax]] is gray, with four longitudinal dark lines on the back. The underside of their abdomen is yellow, and their whole body is covered with hair. Each female fly can lay up to 500 eggs in several batches of about 75 to 150 [[Egg (biology)|eggs]]. Genus ''[[Hydrotaea]]'' are of particular forensic importance.
*Cheese flies – Family [[Piophilidae]] - Most are scavengers in animal products and fungi. The best-known member of the family is ''[[Piophila casei]]''. It is a small fly, about four mm (1/6&nbsp;inch) long, found worldwide. This fly's larva infests cured meats, smoked fish, cheeses, and decaying animals and is sometimes called the cheese skipper for its leaping ability. Forensic entomology uses the presence of Piophila casei larvae to help estimate the date of death for human remains. They do not take up residence in a corpse until three to six months after death. The adult fly's body is black, blue-black, or bronze, with some yellow on the head, antennae, and legs. The wings are faintly [[iridescent]] and lie flat upon the fly's [[abdomen]] when at rest. At four mm (1/6&nbsp;inch) long, the fly is one-third to one-half as long as the common [[housefly]].
*Coffin flies – [[Phoridae]] – a/k/a Humpbacked flies - Larvae feed on decaying bodies. Some species can burrow to a depth of 50&nbsp;cm over 4 days. Important in buried bodies.
*Lesser corpse flies – [[Sphaeroceridae]].
*Lesser house flies – [[Fanniidae]].
*Black scavenger flies – [[Sepsidae]].
*Sun flies - [[Heleomyzidae]].
*[[Black soldier fly]] - [[Stratiomyidae]] - have potential for use in forensic entomology. The larvae are common [[scavengers]] in compost heaps, are found in association with carrion, can be destructive pests in honey bee hives, and are used in [[manure]] management (for both [[house fly]] control and reduction in manure volume). The larvae range in size from 1/8 to 3/4 of an inch (3 to 19 millimeters). The adult fly is a [[mimic]], very close in size, color, and appearance to the [[organ pipe mud dauber]] wasp and its relatives.
*Non-biting midges - [[Chironomidae]] - these flies have a complex life cycle. While adults are terrestrial and phytophagous, larvae are aquatic and detritivorous. Immature instars have been used as forensic markers in several cases where submerged corpses were found.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = González Medina A, Soriano Hernando Ó, Jiménez Ríos G | title = The Use of the Developmental Rate of the Aquatic Midge Chironomus riparius (Diptera, Chironomidae) in the Assessment of the Postsubmersion Interval | journal = Journal of Forensic Sciences | volume = 60 | issue = 3 | pages = 822–826 | date = May 2015 | pmid = 25613586 | doi = 10.1111/1556-4029.12707 | hdl-access = free | s2cid = 196612239 | hdl = 10261/123473 }}</ref>