Which type of forensic expert can help establish the postmortem interval?

A forensic entomologist specializes in the study of insects and their life cycles, which can be crucial in determining the postmortem interval (PMI). This interval refers to the time that has elapsed since a person has died. Insects, particularly blowflies, are often among the first organisms to arrive at a deceased body.

By examining the type and stage of insect development found on or near the remains, forensic entomologists can estimate how long it has been since death occurred. Each species of insect has a specific life cycle that is influenced by environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, which also helps in refining the PMI estimation.

While other forensic experts, like forensic botanists or archeologists, may contribute valuable information in different contexts, it is the forensic entomologist who is specifically trained to utilize the behaviors and developmental stages of insects to establish the timing of death.