Editing Forensic entomology (section)

== Insect succession ==
[[File:Stomoxys-stable-fly-life-cycle-2.jpg|thumb|Life cycle of a fly]]
Insect succession, as utilized in forensic entomology, refers to the orderly progression of insect colonization and decomposition processes on a corpse over time.<ref name="Amendt_2007">{{cite journal | vauthors = Amendt J, Campobasso CP, Gaudry E, Reiter C, LeBlanc HN, Hall MJ | title = Best practice in forensic entomology--standards and guidelines | journal = International Journal of Legal Medicine | volume = 121 | issue = 2 | pages = 90–104 | date = March 2007 | pmid = 16633812 | doi = 10.1007/s00414-006-0086-x }}</ref> Their life cycle typically consists of four stages : eggs, larval, pupal, and adult. Each stage has unique eating behavior that changes as the organism breaks down. In forensic investigations, the presence and developmental phases of insects can provide important data for understanding environmental circumstances, body movement, and postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. In forensic entomology, insects play a crucial role as indicators, helping to identify key components of a death investigation due to their distinct ecological responsibilities and varied geographic distribution. Given that different insect species inhabit a body in a certain order, understanding insect succession is essential for predicting the postmortem interval (PMI). Typically, insect succession occurs in the following stages:
[[File:Example of a pig carcass in the fresh stage of decomposition.jpg|thumb|A pig carcass in the fresh stage of decomposition]]

# Fresh stage: Marked by the arrival of necrophagous insects attracted to the body by chemicals, such as flesh flies and blowflies. These insects deposit their eggs (oviposit) on or near to the body, and the decaying tissues are the maggot's food source.<ref name="Michaud_2011">{{cite journal | vauthors = Michaud JP, Moreau G | title = A statistical approach based on accumulated degree-days to predict decomposition-related processes in forensic studies | journal = Journal of Forensic Sciences | volume = 56 | issue = 1 | pages = 229–232 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21198596 | doi = 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01559.x }}</ref><ref name="Thümmel_2023">{{cite journal | vauthors = Thümmel L, Lutz L, Geissenberger J, Pittner S, Heimer J, Amendt J | title = Decomposition and insect succession of pig cadavers in tents versus outdoors - A preliminary study | journal = Forensic Science International | volume = 346 | issue = complete | pages = 111640 | date = May 2023 | pmid = 36933523 | doi = 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111640 }}</ref>
# Bloated stage: The body starts to swell as a result of gas buildup during the breakdown process. During this phase, insects such as cheese skipper and coffin flies become more common.<ref name="Michaud_2011" /><ref name="Thümmel_2023" />
# [[File:Example of a pig carcass in the bloat stage of decomposition.jpg|thumb|A pig carcass in the bloat stage of decomposition]]Decay stage: In this stage, the insect community changes as the body goes through a more advanced state of decomposition. Predatory insects and mites increase in number, as do beetles, such as dermestid beetles and rove beetles.<ref name="Michaud_2011" /><ref name="Thümmel_2023" />
# Dry stage: The body dries up and the skeletal remains become visible during the last phases of decomposition. Scavenger insects and animals may be present on the remains, along with insects like ham beetles and hide beetles.<ref name="Michaud_2011" /><ref name="Thümmel_2023" />