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Forensic entomology is an area of science that serves as a tool in crime scene investigations. Usually, flies are the first insects to reach a dead body and can oviposit just a few hours after arrival. Therefore the knowledge of immature stages is essential for correct identification of the species found on corpses. Scanning electron microscopy gives detailed information about morphological characters helping to identify the immature forms and consequently serves as a tool in crime scene investigations. C. albiceps is a very important fly for forensic entomologists because its larvae are almost always present on a dead body and it is facultative predators and therefore can alter the composition of species present at the carcass. The aim of this study is to identify eggs, larvae, and puparia of C. albiceps using SEM. Eggs were elongated with the anterior region ending in a "Y" shape and the posterior end was tapered. The micropyle was a well-adorned orifice with some projections around it. The first instar larva was composed of 12 segments separated by spines. Only one spiracular opening could be seen at the posterior spiracle. Body tegument was smooth and tubercles were not seen. Antennae and maxillary palps were visible. Second and third larval instars were very similar to first instar, except for the presence of anterior spiracle. However, body tegument was composed of net-like patches and tubercles were visible. Tubercles present at the third instar larvae were robust and erect. Puparia showed a retracted cephalic region and curved tubercles.

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Insects are important in the decomposition of cadavers. In the field of forensic entomology, the taxonomic identification is essential to proceed to any procedure. The use of these insects in medico criminal investigation is the object of forensic entomological studies; the flies are generally attracted to cadavers and one of the most important contributions is to estimate the postmortem interval. The scanning electron microscopy, which allows rapid and accurate identification of character could be used to help identify different species of forensics flies, has been highlighted as it allows better visualization of the external morphology of immature and some adults. The aim of this study was to describe the katepisternals in females of Morellia humeralis and Biopyrellia bipuncta; the ommatidia of the compounds eyes of the male of B. bipuncta; the antennae of females of Ophyra aenescens and Ophyra albuquerquei and the ocellar triangle of the last two species and O. chalcogaster examined by scanning electron microscopy to help increase the anatomical database on flies for forensic importance. The katepisternals of M. humeralis and B. bipuncta were densely covered by different groups of sensilla. The surface of the ocellar region of O. aenescens was not covered by sensilla, but in O. albuquerquei and O. chalcogaster were densely covered by different types of sensilla. The coeloconic sensilla were only found in the flagellum of O. albuquerquei.