Dead larvae of Cynomya mortuorum (L.) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) as indicators of the post-mortem interval--a case history from Norway

Abstract

A case history where the presence of dead third instar larvae of Cynomya mortuorum (L.) provided information regarding the post-mortem interval is reported. Some (15-20) dead larvae were located in the mouth of the deceased, and data on the seasonal distribution of this species placed the time of death some 7 months prior to the discovery in May 1996, i.e. to October 1995. In this case, the entomological data matched the information later provided by the police.