| The use of flies in forensic entomology in postmortem interval estimations is hindered by lack of information. For accurate postmortem interval estimations using flies, the single most important information is the species identity of the immature flies found upon a corpse. One of the three major groups that associate with carrion, the fleshflies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), are difficult to identify in almost all life stages, especially in the larval stages commonly found upon carrion sources. Additionally, behavioral information on nocturnal oviposition activity amongst carrion flies in general is needed to resolve a time window of up to twelve hours in postmortem interval estimations. The two major goals of this study are: (1) to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of several major genera within the sub-family Sarcophaginae and (2) to investigate the behavioral patterns of nocturnal oviposition for carrion flies.;Relationships of one of the major lineages of Sarcophagidae, the Sarcophaginae, remain unresolved. Most forensically important fleshfly species fall within the Sarcophaginae and so resolving this group can help identify unknown forensically important specimens. I analyzed the complete cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome oxidase II (COII) mtDNA genes, along with portions of the dehydrogenase subunit four (ND4) mtDNA gene and elongation factor one-alpha nDNA gene from 21 species of fleshfly representing 11 genera, and four representatives from other closely related dipteran families. I confirm the monophyly of the family Sarcophagidae and the generic-level organization within the Sarcophaginae of those genera supported by multiple exemplars included in this study ( Helicobia, Sarcophaga, Ravinia, Peckia and Boettcheria).;The behavioral patterns of nocturnal oviposition represent a window of time that potentially has a large impact on postmortem interval estimations. I investigated the behavioral patterns of carrions flies at night by exposing euthanized rats between sunset and sunrise to see if carrion flies oviposited upon the carrion over three subsequent summers. I encountered significant methodological problems that I corrected. I also investigated urban and rural locations, in both lit and unlit conditions. In the end, I found that nocturnal ovipositing did not occur in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. |
