Zanthe Kotze

Advancements in technology have meant that there have been significant developments in the field of forensic entomology, allow researchers to develop tools to more accurately identify entomological evidence, as well as provide more accurate estimates of postmortem interval (PMI). Since its inception in the early thirteenth century (Benecke, 2001), the use of insects in medico-legal investigations has often been met with trepidation.

INTRODUCTION Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence frugivorous insect acceptance of fruit as a host before oviposition occurs. These include quality and availability of hosts, egg load of the female and presence of other larvae in the fruit (Aluja & Boller 1992; Diatta et al. 2013; Fitt 1984; Minkenberg et al. 1992; Prokopy et al. 1994).

During the last two decades, the study of forensic entomology has evolved in leaps and bounds. With the advent of molecular tools and increased access to published research, the focus has shifted from case studies to integrative ecology and applied research. The Royal Entomological Society journal of Medical and Veterinary Entomology has realised the need to broaden the scope of publications to embrace this evolution.