Carrion Beetle
This insect will quickly infest human remains. The larva or maggot form of this beetle will greatly vary in appearance from once species to the next. Unlike the blowfly larva with no legs, the beetle larva has six legs. The number of species belonging to this beetle is such a vast number that they are considered to be one of the largest groups of animal on this planet. Beetles account for more than a quarter of all known animal species, at over 350,000 species and an average of 2,000 more being discovered annually as of 1999.
Bluebottle Blowfly
The length of time that a colony of blowflies inhabit dead remains can help determine time of death. The blowfly will begin to colonize remains almost immediately upon death. The larval form of this fly is extremely important to the forensic entomologist. Commonly referred to as maggots, it is routine practice to search for bluebottle blowflies at all death scenes. A trained eye is required when searching for the various life stages of the blowfly. When the fly larva or maggot is finished feeding, it will move away from the body. The flies are easily overlooked, as they resemble rat droppings or cockroach egg casings.
Cockroach
The Australian, American and German cockroach are the three most common roach species encountered in forensic entomology. These cockroaches have strong mandibles that are capable of causing extensive damage to human remains. They also consume human hair and will remove entire hair shafts from the skin. Damage to the skin from feeding often resembles chemical burns.
Other Beetles
The rove beetle will arrive a few hours after death, while dermestid beetles arrive later. The dermestid beetle will not deposit larvae while the remains are dry. The larvae and adults feed on dry skin and hair of the corpse.
Mites
Mites a small organisms that can be found in the soil under a dead body during the later stages of decomposition. Mites arrive at the body via other insects, then migrate to the seepage underneath the decaying remains.