Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in blow flies vary with species, age, and environmental factors. Blow fly puparia are often found associated with decomposing remains, but their utility in post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation in forensic cases is limited by challenges in accurately ageing them using conventional methods. This study builds on prior research by successfully distinguishing the CHC profiles of Lucilia sericata full puparia aged 1- and 5- days post-pupation. The results indicate that CHC analysis could serve as a valuable tool, either as a complement to or as a potential alternative for traditional forensic entomology methods.