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Open Access 01-05-2018 | Original Article

Species identification of adult African blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance

Authors: Lena Lutz, Kirstin A. Williams, Martin H. Villet, Mfon Ekanem, Krzysztof Szpila

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Necrophagous blowflies can provide an excellent source of evidence for forensic entomologists and are also relevant to problems in public health, medicine, and animal health. However, access to useful information about these blowflies is constrained by the need to correctly identify the flies, and the poor availability of reliable, accessible identification tools is a serious obstacle to the development of forensic entomology in the majority of African countries. In response to this need, a high-quality key to the adults of all species of forensically relevant blowflies of Africa has been prepared, drawing on high-quality entomological materials and modern focus-stacking photomicroscopy. This new key can be easily applied by investigators inexperienced in the taxonomy of blowflies and is made available through a highly accessible online platform. Problematic diagnostic characters used in previous keys are discussed.

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^*Forensic cases in Africa and Asia include murders, neglect, and poaching. Adult screwworms that visit wounds, if only to feed, may be collected by death investigators. Cases of criminal neglect and poaching are not always immediately lethal, and adult screwworms might be recovered from cases involving live or dead humans and other animals.

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Title: Species identification of adult African blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance
Authors: Lena Lutz
Kirstin A. Williams
Martin H. Villet
Mfon Ekanem
Krzysztof Szpila
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1654-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Species identification of adult African blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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