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Forensic entomology in New Zealand – a gap assessment

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.

Abstract

With obvious gaps in forensic entomology research in Aotearoa, questions arise about what the main priorities should be and how to efficiently improve the accuracy of PMI calculations in New Zealand casework. This review is equivalent to a gap assessment and will illuminate areas of research that need to be focused on, and also how other countries, esp. Australia, have faced them, with the aim to develop an implementation plan for forensic entomological application methods in New Zealand. Due to the geographical and climate uniqueness of Aotearoa, knowledge of carrion insect species, both endemic and introduced, their succession patterns for different regions and habitats, as well as seasons, must be established locally, even more in a remote country as NZ. The most important next step is to analyse the development rates of the most common species that occur in New Zealand’s cases (Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vicina, C. stygia) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as there is not a single relevant analysis available. Another key priority is to analyse cases and species in relation to the context of the remains, allowing for the development of more detailed research questions.

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