Creophilus Maxillosus - Forensics

Forensics

Creophilus maxillosus is one of the many forensically important insect species commonly encountered during crime scene investigations. This species can be used in investigative forensic entomology to aid in establishing a time of colonization or post mortem interval (PMI), both of which usually prove helpful in general crime scene investigation. Hairy rove beetles are considered forensically important, however; their use is somewhat limited due to their transient nature and widespread distribution. Croephilus maxillosus frequency at crime scene investigations conducted in their natural habitat often disqualifies them from being an indicator of body relocation. Creophilus maxillosus forensic relevance, however, is proportionally associated with predation of Diptera larvae, which is one of the most important secondary predations encountered at crime scenes.

Both larvae and adults of the predatory Creophilus maxillosus feed on the organic remains of carrion as well as nutrient-packed diptera larvae. Their appearance in the 'common' faunal succession usually follows the first Diptera larvae colonization and continues throughout the later stages of decomposition. The presence of C. maxillosus on carrion is sometimes associated with a marked reduction or in some instances an unexplained absence of fly larvae. This predation causes an overall misrepresentation of the overall entomofaunical succession, and must be considered in some instances.