Review of Forensic Entomotoxicology based on scientific evidence, its impact on the postmortem interval and future perspectives in Panama
Authors
View/Download
PDF (Español (España))
FLIP
EPUB (Español (España))
How to Cite
Camaño, E., Escobar, R., Sosa, A., & Brenes Tejada, A. (2025). Review of Forensic Entomotoxicology based on scientific evidence, its impact on the postmortem interval and future perspectives in Panama. Revista Semilla Científica, 1(7), 366–387. https://doi.org/10.37594/sc.v1i7.1774
More Citation Formats
License terms
▼
Abstract
This work was carried out to make a documentary review of the importance of entomotoxicology in cases of deaths in which it is suspected that a toxic substance was involved, and how this discipline allows us to determine an estimate of the postmortem interval using the larvae of necrophagous insects. Multiple scientific documents were used to add veracity to our bibliographic review, of which the results were satisfactory, as they concluded that the entomofauna involved in a scene where there is a suspicious death, is useful to determine the toxic substances involved to put together a case theory.
References
Aballay, F. H., & Fernández Campón, F. (2024). Primer vistazo a la entomotoxicología utilizando Peckia intermutans (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) como modelo experimental. Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina, 83(1), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.25085/rsea.830109
Amendt, J., Campobasso, C. P., Gaudry, E., Reiter, C., LeBlanc, H. N., & Hall, M. J. (2007). Best practice in forensic entomology—standards and guidelines. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 121(2), 90–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-006-0086-x
Benecke, M. (2001). A brief history of forensic entomology. Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 2-14.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00404-3
Berenbaum, M. (2010). Insecticidal effects on larval growth and metamorphosis. Annual Review of Entomology, 55(1), 389-405. https://journals.scholarsportal.info/search?q=Insecticidal+effects+on+larval+growth+and+metamorphosis.+&search_in=anywhere&date_from=&date_to=&sort=relevance&op=AND&q=Annual+Review+of+Entomology&search_in=JOURNAL&sub=
Beyer JC, Enos WF, Stajic M. Identificación de fármacos mediante análisis de larvas. J. Forensic Sci. 1980;25:411–412. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7391801/
Bobadilla (2020, 03 de febrero) Ecología de insectos en el Instituto de Entomología de la UMCE. https://www.umce.cl/index.php/fac-ciencias/inst-entomologia/item/3026-ecologia-insectos-instituto-entomologia-umce
Botcherby, L. (2019). The Role of Chromatography in Entomotoxicology. Revista LCGC International. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/role-chromatography-entomotoxicology
Boulkenafet F, Dob Y, Karroui R, Al-Khalifa M, Boumrah Y, Toumi M, et al. Detection of benzodiazepines in decomposing rabbit tissues and certain necrophagic dipteran species of forensic importance. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2020 Jul;27(7):1691. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X20301662
Carvalho, L. M. L., Thyssen, P. J., Linhares, A. X., & Palhares, F. A. B. (2000). A forensic entomology case study in Minas Gerais, Brazil: The role of insects as evidence in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 89-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00421-8
Casida, J. E. (1999). Impact of heavy metals on insect physiology: A toxicological perspective. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 160(1), 93-101. https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/bitstream/20.500.14330/TES01000830332/3/0830332.pdf
Castillo-Alanis, L. A., González-Hernández, A. E., Quijano-Mateos, A., Pedraza-Lara, C. S., Villavicencio-Queijeiro, A., & Bravo-Gómez, M. E. (2020). Standardization of a culture medium for Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) for entomotoxicología studies. Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(5), 1421–1431. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32440684/
Código Procesal Penal De La República De Panamá. (2018). Ministerio Público Procuraduría General De La Nación. https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CODIGO-PROCESAL-PENAL-Comentado-COMPLETO-20-AGO-2018.pdf
Collantes, R (2022). Revisión sobre la entomología forense en Panamá. Cathedra. https://revistas.umecit.edu.pa/index.php/cathedra/article/view/761/2129
Espinoza, C., et al., (2020). La entomología forense en Latinoamérica. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/559/55969798023/html/
Garcés, P., Lasso, E. & Varela, V. (Dic, 2017). Detección De Levamisol En Larvas De Moscas Necrófagas De Importancia Médico Legal. Revista Colón Ciencias, Tecnología y Negocios. https://revistas.up.ac.pa/index.php/revista_colon_ctn/article/view/52/44
George, K. A., Archer, M. S., Green, L. M., Conlan, X. A., & Toop, T. (2009). Effect of morphine on the growth rate of Calliphora stygia (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and possible implications for forensic entomology. Forensic Science International, 193, 21 - 25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19773137/
Gosselin, M., Wille, S. M. R., Fernandez, M. M. R., Di Fazio, V., Samyn, N., & De Boeck, G. (2010). Development and validation of a method for the detection and quantification of methadone and its main metabolite in different developmental stages of Lucilia sericata. Forensic Science International,196(1-3), 92-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.046
Gratiniano Bustos Vargas (2022) “La entomología aplicada como data de muerte en la investigación criminal” Universidad Libre. Recuperado de https://repository.unilibre.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10901/23091/ENSAYO%20entomologia%20forense.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Gullan, P. J., & Cranston, P. S. (2010). “The Insects: An Outline of Entomology.” Wiley-Blackwell. Este libro ofrece un análisis exhaustivo sobre la diversidad de insectos y los factores que influyen en sus poblaciones. https://gredos.usal.es/bitstream/handle/10366/76777/FBI_GuiaAcademica_2010_2011.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Hidalgo M. (2021). Entomotoxicología forense en cadáveres en estado de descomposición. ResearchGate.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356095499_Entomotoxicologia_Forense_En_Cadaveres_En_Estado_De_Descomposicion
Introna, F., & Campobasso, C. P. (2000). Entomotoxicology. Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00419-X
Introna, F., & Campobasso, C. P. (2002). Forensic implications of entomotoxicology. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 21(11), 645-650. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-9936(02)01203-6
Jales JT, Barbosa T de M, dos Santos LC, Rachetti V de PS, Gama RA. Carrion decomposition and assemblage of necrophagous dipterans associated with Terbufos (Organophosphate) intoxicated rat carcasses. Acta Trop. 2020 Dec;212(5):105–14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32768396/
Magaña, C. (2001). La Entomología Forense y su aplicación a la medicina legal. Data de la muerte. http://sea-entomologia.org/aracnet/7/06forense/index.htm
Marín R. (2016). La entomotoxicología y su utilidad en el quehacer forense. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/bitstream/20.500.14330/TES01000751886/3/0751886.pdf
Pozo, María. (2021). Entomotoxicología Forense En Cadáveres En Estado De Descomposición. The Ecuador Journal of Medicine. 1. 17-32. 10.46721/tejom-vol1issEsp-2021-17-32. https://revistafecim.org/index.php/tejom/article/view/69
Ramos-Pastrana, Y., & Jaramillo-Ramírez, G. I. (2020). Detección de malatión en larvas de dípteros de importancia forense. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, 44(170), 75-83. https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.928
Salimi, Mojtaba y Rassi, Yavar y Chatrabgoun, Omid y Kamali, Artin y Oshaghi, Mohammad y Shiri-Ghaleh, Vida y Moradi, Mehrdad y Rafizadeh,
Sayena y Akbarzadeh, Kameran y Parkhideh, Seyedeh Sogolzahra. (2018). Análisis toxicológico de insectos en el cadáver: una valiosa fuente de información en investigaciones forenses. Revista de enfermedades transmitidas por artrópodos. 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30584545/
Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (2017, junio 9). Investigadores resaltan la importancia de los insectos como indicadores de la biodiversidad y salud de los ecosistemas. https://www.senacyt.gob.pa/investigadores-resaltan-la-importancia-de-los-insectos-como-indicadores-de-la-biodiversidad-y-salud-de-los-ecosistemas/
Sousa, L. & Borges A. (2009). Escorpiones y escorpionismo en Venezuela. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259452841_Escorpiones_y_escorpionismo_en_Venezuela
Tatiana Pinilla B., Yisethe Acuña, Diana Cortes B., Andrea Díaz R., Alexandra Segura, Felio J. Bello. (Diciembre, 2010) CARACTERÍSTICAS DEL CICLO BIOLÓGICO DE Lucilia sericata (MEIGEN, 1826) (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE) SOBRE DIETAS DIFERENTES. Recuperado de http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-42262010000200018
Tracqui, A & Keyser, Christine & Kintz, Pascal & Ludes, Bertrand. (2004). Entomotoxicology for the forensic toxicologist: Much ado about nothing? International journal of legal medicine. 118. 194-6. 10.1007/s00414-004-0442-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15164211/
Tucker, S. (2021). Endosulfan: The pesticide’s impact on wildlife and its illegal use in agriculture. Environmental Law Institute. https://www.eli.org/research-report/endosulfan-pesticides-impact-wildlife
U.S. Department of Justice. (2024, May 30). Beaver County farmer and employee sentenced for using toxic pesticide to kill migratory birds. Western District of Pennsylvania. https://www.justice.gov
Wang, Man & Chu, Jun & Wang, Yu & Li, Fagui & Liao, Mingqing & Shi, He & Zhang, Yingna & Hu, Guoliang & Wang, Jiangfeng. (2019). Forensic entomology application in China: Four case reports. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 63. 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.03.001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30861472/
Amendt, J., Campobasso, C. P., Gaudry, E., Reiter, C., LeBlanc, H. N., & Hall, M. J. (2007). Best practice in forensic entomology—standards and guidelines. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 121(2), 90–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-006-0086-x
Benecke, M. (2001). A brief history of forensic entomology. Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 2-14.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00404-3
Berenbaum, M. (2010). Insecticidal effects on larval growth and metamorphosis. Annual Review of Entomology, 55(1), 389-405. https://journals.scholarsportal.info/search?q=Insecticidal+effects+on+larval+growth+and+metamorphosis.+&search_in=anywhere&date_from=&date_to=&sort=relevance&op=AND&q=Annual+Review+of+Entomology&search_in=JOURNAL&sub=
Beyer JC, Enos WF, Stajic M. Identificación de fármacos mediante análisis de larvas. J. Forensic Sci. 1980;25:411–412. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7391801/
Bobadilla (2020, 03 de febrero) Ecología de insectos en el Instituto de Entomología de la UMCE. https://www.umce.cl/index.php/fac-ciencias/inst-entomologia/item/3026-ecologia-insectos-instituto-entomologia-umce
Botcherby, L. (2019). The Role of Chromatography in Entomotoxicology. Revista LCGC International. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/role-chromatography-entomotoxicology
Boulkenafet F, Dob Y, Karroui R, Al-Khalifa M, Boumrah Y, Toumi M, et al. Detection of benzodiazepines in decomposing rabbit tissues and certain necrophagic dipteran species of forensic importance. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2020 Jul;27(7):1691. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X20301662
Carvalho, L. M. L., Thyssen, P. J., Linhares, A. X., & Palhares, F. A. B. (2000). A forensic entomology case study in Minas Gerais, Brazil: The role of insects as evidence in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 89-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00421-8
Casida, J. E. (1999). Impact of heavy metals on insect physiology: A toxicological perspective. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 160(1), 93-101. https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/bitstream/20.500.14330/TES01000830332/3/0830332.pdf
Castillo-Alanis, L. A., González-Hernández, A. E., Quijano-Mateos, A., Pedraza-Lara, C. S., Villavicencio-Queijeiro, A., & Bravo-Gómez, M. E. (2020). Standardization of a culture medium for Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) for entomotoxicología studies. Journal of Medical Entomology, 57(5), 1421–1431. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32440684/
Código Procesal Penal De La República De Panamá. (2018). Ministerio Público Procuraduría General De La Nación. https://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CODIGO-PROCESAL-PENAL-Comentado-COMPLETO-20-AGO-2018.pdf
Collantes, R (2022). Revisión sobre la entomología forense en Panamá. Cathedra. https://revistas.umecit.edu.pa/index.php/cathedra/article/view/761/2129
Espinoza, C., et al., (2020). La entomología forense en Latinoamérica. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/559/55969798023/html/
Garcés, P., Lasso, E. & Varela, V. (Dic, 2017). Detección De Levamisol En Larvas De Moscas Necrófagas De Importancia Médico Legal. Revista Colón Ciencias, Tecnología y Negocios. https://revistas.up.ac.pa/index.php/revista_colon_ctn/article/view/52/44
George, K. A., Archer, M. S., Green, L. M., Conlan, X. A., & Toop, T. (2009). Effect of morphine on the growth rate of Calliphora stygia (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and possible implications for forensic entomology. Forensic Science International, 193, 21 - 25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19773137/
Gosselin, M., Wille, S. M. R., Fernandez, M. M. R., Di Fazio, V., Samyn, N., & De Boeck, G. (2010). Development and validation of a method for the detection and quantification of methadone and its main metabolite in different developmental stages of Lucilia sericata. Forensic Science International,196(1-3), 92-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.046
Gratiniano Bustos Vargas (2022) “La entomología aplicada como data de muerte en la investigación criminal” Universidad Libre. Recuperado de https://repository.unilibre.edu.co/bitstream/handle/10901/23091/ENSAYO%20entomologia%20forense.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Gullan, P. J., & Cranston, P. S. (2010). “The Insects: An Outline of Entomology.” Wiley-Blackwell. Este libro ofrece un análisis exhaustivo sobre la diversidad de insectos y los factores que influyen en sus poblaciones. https://gredos.usal.es/bitstream/handle/10366/76777/FBI_GuiaAcademica_2010_2011.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Hidalgo M. (2021). Entomotoxicología forense en cadáveres en estado de descomposición. ResearchGate.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356095499_Entomotoxicologia_Forense_En_Cadaveres_En_Estado_De_Descomposicion
Introna, F., & Campobasso, C. P. (2000). Entomotoxicology. Forensic Science International, 120(1-2), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)'>https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00419-X
Introna, F., & Campobasso, C. P. (2002). Forensic implications of entomotoxicology. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 21(11), 645-650. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-9936(02)01203-6
Jales JT, Barbosa T de M, dos Santos LC, Rachetti V de PS, Gama RA. Carrion decomposition and assemblage of necrophagous dipterans associated with Terbufos (Organophosphate) intoxicated rat carcasses. Acta Trop. 2020 Dec;212(5):105–14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32768396/
Magaña, C. (2001). La Entomología Forense y su aplicación a la medicina legal. Data de la muerte. http://sea-entomologia.org/aracnet/7/06forense/index.htm
Marín R. (2016). La entomotoxicología y su utilidad en el quehacer forense. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/bitstream/20.500.14330/TES01000751886/3/0751886.pdf
Pozo, María. (2021). Entomotoxicología Forense En Cadáveres En Estado De Descomposición. The Ecuador Journal of Medicine. 1. 17-32. 10.46721/tejom-vol1issEsp-2021-17-32. https://revistafecim.org/index.php/tejom/article/view/69
Ramos-Pastrana, Y., & Jaramillo-Ramírez, G. I. (2020). Detección de malatión en larvas de dípteros de importancia forense. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, 44(170), 75-83. https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.928
Salimi, Mojtaba y Rassi, Yavar y Chatrabgoun, Omid y Kamali, Artin y Oshaghi, Mohammad y Shiri-Ghaleh, Vida y Moradi, Mehrdad y Rafizadeh,
Sayena y Akbarzadeh, Kameran y Parkhideh, Seyedeh Sogolzahra. (2018). Análisis toxicológico de insectos en el cadáver: una valiosa fuente de información en investigaciones forenses. Revista de enfermedades transmitidas por artrópodos. 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30584545/
Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (2017, junio 9). Investigadores resaltan la importancia de los insectos como indicadores de la biodiversidad y salud de los ecosistemas. https://www.senacyt.gob.pa/investigadores-resaltan-la-importancia-de-los-insectos-como-indicadores-de-la-biodiversidad-y-salud-de-los-ecosistemas/
Sousa, L. & Borges A. (2009). Escorpiones y escorpionismo en Venezuela. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259452841_Escorpiones_y_escorpionismo_en_Venezuela
Tatiana Pinilla B., Yisethe Acuña, Diana Cortes B., Andrea Díaz R., Alexandra Segura, Felio J. Bello. (Diciembre, 2010) CARACTERÍSTICAS DEL CICLO BIOLÓGICO DE Lucilia sericata (MEIGEN, 1826) (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE) SOBRE DIETAS DIFERENTES. Recuperado de http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-42262010000200018
Tracqui, A & Keyser, Christine & Kintz, Pascal & Ludes, Bertrand. (2004). Entomotoxicology for the forensic toxicologist: Much ado about nothing? International journal of legal medicine. 118. 194-6. 10.1007/s00414-004-0442-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15164211/
Tucker, S. (2021). Endosulfan: The pesticide’s impact on wildlife and its illegal use in agriculture. Environmental Law Institute. https://www.eli.org/research-report/endosulfan-pesticides-impact-wildlife
U.S. Department of Justice. (2024, May 30). Beaver County farmer and employee sentenced for using toxic pesticide to kill migratory birds. Western District of Pennsylvania. https://www.justice.gov
Wang, Man & Chu, Jun & Wang, Yu & Li, Fagui & Liao, Mingqing & Shi, He & Zhang, Yingna & Hu, Guoliang & Wang, Jiangfeng. (2019). Forensic entomology application in China: Four case reports. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 63. 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.03.001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30861472/
Publication Facts
Metric
This article
Other articles
Peer reviewers
0
2.4
Reviewer profiles N/A
Author statements
Author statements
This article
Other articles
Data availability
N/A
16%
External funding
No
32%
Competing interests
N/A
11%
Metric
This journal
Other journals
Articles accepted
0%
33%
Days to publication
33
145
Indexed in
- Editor & editorial board
- profiles
- Academic society
- Universidad Metropolitana de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología
- Publisher
- Universidad Metropolitana de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología
To learn about these publication facts, click 
PF is maintained by the Public Knowledge Project
