Forensically important Calliphoridae (Diptera) associated with animal and human decomposition in the Czech Republic: preliminary results

Two studies to establish standards of sampling of entomological evidence for crime scene technicians and forensic experts in the Czech Republic were pursued in years 2011 to 2013. During experiments, pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica Linnaeus, 1758) were used as models for human bodies and important data about succession of decomposition of large carcasses were also obtained. Altogether 21 species of Calliphoridae were collected, of which ten are classified as forensically important: Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus, 1758), Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Phormia regina (Meigen, 1826), Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Lucilia illustris (Meigen, 1826), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve, 1922, Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), Lucilia silvarum (Meigen, 1826), and Cynomya mortuorum (Linnaeus, 1761). The next eleven species belonged to genera Bellardia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1836, Melinda Robineau- Desvoidy, 1830, Onesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, and Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; the blow flies associated with earthworms and snails, and their role in decomposition is discussed. Finally, our results stated that a pyramidal trap along with pitfall traps and rearing of larvae from the carcass are suitable tool for successional studies of forensically important invertebrates.