Research trends on forensic entomology for five decades worldwide

Abstract

Forensic entomology, the study of insects and arthropods in criminal investigations, is crucial for estimating postmortem intervals, determining changes in corpse positioning, and identifying causes of death. This study analyzes global research trends in forensic entomology using data from the Scopus database spanning 1970 to 2024, with data visualized through VOSviewer. A total of 2,261 articles were identified, with an average productivity of 42 papers per year. The leading countries in forensic entomology research are the United States (n = 444), Brazil (n = 266), China (n = 198), the United Kingdom (n = 194), and Germany (n = 156). Current hot topics in the field include pupae, feeding behavior, beetles, and genetics. These findings underscore the ongoing interest and advancements in forensic entomology, highlighting its significance and diverse applications in criminal investigations.

Keywords: Criminal investigations; Forensic entomology; Insect development stages; Postmortem interval estimation; Research trends.