DIVERSITY OF DIPTEROUS FORENSIC INSECTS FROM WESTERN MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Abstract

Forensic insects help in solving the mysteries of a crime like murder and essential component of court of law. Therefore, diversity of forensic insects has been studied from Western Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Sangli & Satara), India. In all 25 insect species of forensic importance have been reported belonging to the families Culicidae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Psychodidae, Tabanidae, Piophilidae, Syrphidae, Chioropidae, Ceratopogonidae, Shaeroceridae and Trichoceridae of order Diptera. The occurrence, association, distribution, life cycle and the forensic role of members of above families have been discussed.