The Contribution of Forensic Entomology to the Investigation of Violent Crimes: Historical Framework and Situation in Mexico

Forensic Entomology has been adopted in Mexico as an auxiliary area of Forensic Sciences in some States. Its history around the world and how it has been adopted is revised. The use of insects in legal investigations today is an opportunity for Mexican General States Attorneys. However, trained people are needed since the fly’s behavior to colonize traumatized body areas is better than the usual natural openings of the corpses and can be used as indicators of violent crimes. Since the corpses and flies are dependent on environmental factors, one to decompose and the other to develop respectively, their interpretations are a clue to estimate the time since death, as well as the specimen identification is a primary condition, and many times the scene process of a corpse finding needs the entomologist participation. While most of the Mexican States lack forensic entomologists or specialized laboratories, advances in some States like Queretaro are ahead in using arthropods like insects and mites for postmortem interval estimation as part of the regular forensic investigation.