The flies belonging to the Diptera, Calliphoridae, family are the first visitors to inhabit and colonise a dead body. Commonly known as blow flies, these flies have significant importance in accurate assessment of post-mortem interval (PMI). (The time that has elapsed since one’s death).
However, studies reveal significant differences in developmental rate of these flies according to seasonal changes such as summer, monsoon, and winter. These changes may be due to changes in humidity, rainfall, and temperature in the area and genetic variations of blow flies.
This cautions that while performing assessment of the PMI, investigators should be careful about the climatic conditions prevailing in the respective area.
