Forensic Importance
Lucilia cuprina is often used as a very helpful tool to aid medical and forensic professionals. It is known to be one of the first flies to occupy a corpse upon its death. Once it lands on a corpse, it continues in the formation of its next generation by laying its eggs. The eggs are followed by its larva, pupa and finally the adult. Forensic professionals may form a postmortem interval by the life stage found on the corpse. L. cuprina, although it is a worldwide pest, is very climate specific. It occupies dryer climates. A forensic investigator may conclude that a corpse has been relocated from its original location if it is found in a moist climate with L. cuprina on it.
The maggots of L. cuprina have been used by medical doctors for Debridement therapy for patients who suffer from wounds that are healing slowly. The maggots cleanse the wound by eating the dead and infectious skin and preventing gangrene and further infection.
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