Final answer:
To estimate the time of death in criminal investigations, forensic entomologists analyze the development stages of maggots from blowfly eggs laid on a decaying body. The predictability of these development stages, combined with environmental factors, allows for an approximation of the time since death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flies play a significant role in forensic entomology, particularly in determining the time of death during a criminal investigation. When flies find a dead animal, they generally lay their eggs on it, allowing the maggots to feed on the decaying flesh. The stages of maggot development can provide forensic entomologists with vital clues about the time of death. By examining the specific maggot stages and types present on a cadaver, an approximate time of death can be estimated. This is because maggot development is highly predictable and follows a known timeline depending on environmental conditions.
To extrapolate the time of death from the development of fly eggs, an entomologist must consider factors such as temperature, humidity, and access to the body, as these can all affect the rate of insect development. As a result, knowing the life cycle stages of flies and how long each stage lasts can help piece together the time frame of a person's death.