The European Commission (EU COM), under the responsibility of the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), provides, among other things, the Internal Security Fund (ISF). This is part of the “EU Home Affairs Fund” and aims to strengthen internal security in the European Union (EU).

Forensic entomology (FE) analyzes insect evidence in legal investigations and is one of the most precise methods for determining the minimum time of death, especially when other approaches are no longer applicable. Estimating the age of the insects developing on a cadaver and their species composition allow the estimation of the PMI_min, i.e. the time between the first insect colonization of a human corpse and its discovery. Intervals from one day to more than a month can be estimated precisely to the day, but longer periods can also be roughly determined. Entomological evidence is used in many other forensic issues, e.g. to prove the relocation of a cadaver or the manipulation and modification of crime scenes. Even in the case of self-inflicted or third party neglect, which is often accompanied by insect colonization during one's lifetime, entomological analyzes provide information for legal investigations.

Although insects are a common and useful trace in criminal cases, they are still rarely considered, preserved and analyzed in both Europe and Germany, with the result that entomological reports are still rare. This imbalance can often be explained by a lack of awareness of the potential of insect evidence, but also by an overload of evidence sampling in routine practice. As a result, insects are currently not sampled, sampled incorrectly and/or sampled too late, which severely limits the subsequent professional evaluation and evidentiary value of these traces. Forensic entomology is therefore an investigative tool that, despite its many possibilities, is far from being used to its full potential.

The project aims to establish and professionalize forensic entomology as a method in criminal investigations throughout Germany. It will also focus on strengthening and improving interdisciplinary cooperation between different investigating authorities (police, public prosecution, forensic medicine).

The project consists of 3 work packages. In the first package, a nationwide survey of investigating authorities, forensic science institutes and public prosecutors will determine the frequency of insect-related cases and the awareness of the importance of forensic entomological methods in the handling of capital crimes. Based on the results, the second package will develop detailed preservation instructions, including an entomological evidence kit. This kit contains all the materials necessary for the optimal preservation and storage of entomological evidence. In addition, a catalogue of insect evidence will be produced with explanations of the most common insect species, their biology and distribution. The third package will develop and test a training concept for the preservation of entomological evidence and training in entomological working methods, with the aim of recognising, identifying and preserving insects on bodies both in the field and indoors.

The results of the project will be presented and published internationally. A European network of forensic scientists and experts will be involved in the evaluation and testing of the results of this project. All instructions, tutorials and preservation kits will also be available in English and made available throughout the EU. In addition, the project will enable national and international authorities to train in the preservation of entomological evidence from animal carcasses under realistic conditions in a training area at a research facility that is unique in Europe, thus internalising security concepts.