Pictorial Identification Key for Blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of Potential Forensic Importance in Korea

Forensic entomology is the study of the systematics and ecology of insects associated with human and animal cadavers. Several reliable experiences and knowledge of entomology have provided clues based on insect evidence in criminal investigations [1,2]. In particular, local insects approaching cadavers may have different compositions in different localities, and the usual range of these insects would be 10-100 km [3,4]. Therefore, faunal information for criminal investigation should be more comprehensive at the national and local levels. Flies in Calliphoridae are one of the most important insects in forensic entomology. They can provide information on postmortem colonization of the remains and postmortem intervals [5]. The family Calliphoridae, commonly known as blowflies or cluster flies, has 1,500 species in five subfamilies recorded to date worldwide [6]. Many experts have contributed to blowfly taxonomy; 26 species belonging to 14 genera and four subfamilies have been recorded in Korea [7-11]: 20 species in Calliphorinae, five species in Chrysomyinae, one species in Polleniinae, and two species in Rhiniinae that have recently been revised as the family Rhiniidae. Korean J Leg Med 2021;45:22-26 https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2021.45.1.22