How does forensic entomology aid an investigation?

Forensic entomology is a specialized branch of forensic science that utilizes the study of insects and their life cycles to aid in criminal investigations. One of the primary applications of forensic entomology is estimating the time of death in a homicide case. Insects are often among the first organisms to arrive at a decomposing body. By examining the types of insects present and their developmental stages, forensic entomologists can determine how long it has been since death occurred.

As insects have specific life cycles, the presence and development stage of certain species can provide crucial information about the timeline of the event, such as when the body was first discovered. This information can help investigators narrow down the time frame in which a crime was committed, which is a vital aspect of solving cases.

Other methods mentioned in the options, such as identifying dental records, analyzing handwriting, and verifying document authenticity, are relevant to forensic science but pertain to different disciplines like forensic odontology and forensic document examination, rather than forensic entomology.