Elaboration of cards to identify families of Coleoptera (Arthropoda, Insecta) of medical criminal forensic importance from Brazil

Abstract

Information about biology, ecology, geographic distribution and correct identification of insects within the forensic scope are necessary since it is from this knowledge that the post mortem interval can be estimated in cases of violent crimes. Thus, in the present study, informative-illustrative cards of the main families of Coleoptera with forensic medical-criminal relevance were elaborated. The information contained was selected from the literature (from articles and books), emphasizing data on the status of relevance for the forensic area, if there are and how many are the records of cases in Brazil using these beetles and, finally, the general diagnosis for the members of each family, including images of representative specimens for each family produced in the laboratory.