The European Commission (EC), 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).

The ISF project “MaDE in Deutschland”, started in December 2023, aims to establish and professionalize forensic entomology as a method in criminal investigation throughout Germany and Europe. While the first year of the project was spent evaluating the state of knowledge and application of forensic entomology in German-speaking countries and identifying specific areas where improvement is needed, the second year of the project was devoted to developing a concept for sampling entomological evidence, including instructions for the correct preservation of entomological traces at crime scenes and death sites, videos for securing evidence at different discovery sites (outdoors, apartments, autopsies) and a catalogue of entomological traces. In close cooperation with the relevant police and legal medicine departments, gaps in knowledge and potential problems regarding the identification and preservation of entomological traces were identified. There was also a lack of information regarding the possibilities of forensic entomology in solving capital crimes.

The survey results from the first year of the project highlighted the lack of standardized nationwide guidelines for the preservation of entomological evidence in case work. To close this gap, a 12-page sampling manual was developed in the second year of the project. The manual graphically illustrates the different developmental stages and typical residues of the two most important insect families to forensic entomology (flies and beetles). In addition, information is provided on the appearance of these traces, their forensic relevance and their use in case work. The manual also provides a systematic description of how to preserve entomological evidence, differentiated according to whether the body was found in indoor scene, in an outdoor scene or during an autopsy. It explains which materials (e.g. brushes, spoons, tweezers) are suitable for the respective trace and in which containers the evidence should be preserved. Particular emphasis was placed on recommending only materials that are typically found in crime scene kits to avoid the need to procure additional equipment. The guide also contains detailed instructions on storing entomological evidence with and without fluids and which procedure to use in which cases. In addition, a short, clear workflow for preserving insect evidence was developed.

This summarizes the essential steps for finding and crime scenes in a compact form and also contains contact details and addresses of forensic entomologists in Germany. The workflow is designed as a quick guide and can be displayed in offices. For standardized entomological data collection, a three-page form has also been created on which case-related information, in particular on the location and the samples taken, can be documented. These forms are intended to be attached to the sample transmission.

A three-part video was produced to demonstrate the correct preservation of entomological evidence and to illustrate typical spots for insects to hide at different locations. The aim was to present the variability and respective challenges of securing evidence in different scenarios in a practical manner. The video was based on 360° images taken at three different locations: at the scene of a body discovery in an apartment, in an outdoor scenario, and during the autopsy of a corpse. In addition to the 360° images, detailed macro images of the entomological traces were created. All image material was combined into an interactive 3D tour using 3D-Vista software and implemented as a Windows application that enables a virtual tour of the different locations. These tours will also be used as training materials in the third year of the project. All videos were created in collaboration with the Hessian University of Applied Sciences for Public Management and Security (HöMS).

The results of the survey conducted as part of the project clearly showed that entomological traces are not always reliably identified and that there is sometimes confusion regarding the terminology used to describe the different types of traces. To solve this problem and further deepen the understanding of insect traces, a comprehensive catalogue for entomological evidence has been developed. The catalogue not only presents individual species but also focuses on detailed photographic representations of all developmental stages of necrophagous insects (egg, larva, pupa, puparium). In addition, basic information is provided on relevant influencing factors such as temperature, the procedure for searching for indoor, outdoor and during autopsies, colonization times, and the development cycle and temporal sequence of necrophagous insects on the corpse (insect succession). A particular focus is placed on practical photographic depictions of traces in realistic environments and at actual sites where they were found.

The second part of the trace catalogue presents the most important insects for forensic entomology using standardized fact sheets. These contain information on their morphology, biology, seasonal occurrence, development speed at different temperatures and forensic use in case work. The trace catalogue is not designed as an identification key but serves as an initial classification of entomological traces as well as technical support and further training. If you would like to use the trace catalogue in your work and download it, please contact Dr. Lena Lutz (lutz@med.uni-frankfurt.de). She will send you the password for the PDF.