Forensic entomology is the use of insects in criminal investigations. Diptera (blowflies) are the most used insects for forensic entomology because they colonize bodies quickly and their life cycles are impacted by temperature. The most common warm weather species of Diptera in the Georgia piedmont area is Lucilia coeruleiviridis. Atlanta Georgia has a high violent crime rate, so the use of forensic entomology can help investigators determine the minimum Postmortem Interval (mPMI). The mPMI is the minimum time since death occurred, it shows when insects began colonizing the body which can help with solving crimes. The research we have conducted can help to show the effect of different temperatures, 22° C, 29° C, and 36° C on the Diptera larvae. Temperature has an impact on the different development stages of Lucilia coeruleiviridis larvae and by using colder and warmer temperatures it can be determined how long the typical life cycle will take in different temperatures. Our data shows that in colder temperatures the Lucilia coeruleiviridis Diptera larvae develop more slowly, are overall smaller, and take longer to reach the last stage of development. In warmer temperatures the larvae develop very quickly, are overall larger, reach the last stage of development in a shorter time, and have more mortality during development. This research can help with solving crimes and give investigators an accurate life cycle of the Lucilia coeruleiviridis in colder and warmer temperatures which can help with determining the mPMI in criminal investigations.
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