ABSTRACT
This chapter explores basic features underlying insect development has been provided to understand differences among species that can impact forensic interpretations. It deals with the typical process of converting insect development information into temporal information when temperatures are not constant. The chapter discusses topics beyond basic degree models to include other characteristics known to alter insect development. Insects develop in a generally stereotypical pattern. All insects start as embryos within an externally or internally developing egg. Once eggs hatch, the resultant immature insect can follow a number of developmental trajectories. The transition of a holometabolous larva to an adult requires a complete reorganization of the organism during a process called metamorphosis. Validation of data sets on human and animal remains or with casework more realistically gets at issues related to biases specific to the data set of interest. Insect development is considered to be generally predictable in a temperature-dependent manner.
