This study explores the significant influence of micro-environmental factors on carcass decomposition and insect colonization, with a particular emphasis on detailed insect community analysis. The research employed an innovative approach by placing two pig carcasses in contrasting environments that one in a sunlit open field and the other in a shaded forest. The findings revealed dynamic shifts in insect diversity in the sunlit area, characterized by a rapid increase followed by a decrease, in contrast to the more steady, gradual changes observed in the shaded area. This contrast highlights the sensitivity of insect communities to even minor changes in environmental conditions like sunlight and temperature. It unveils the nuanced ways in which such factors shape the composition and dynamics of insect communities. These insights are crucial for the field of forensic entomology, enhancing the accuracy of post-mortem interval estimations. By providing a clearer understanding of how different micro-environmental conditions influence insect activity and decomposition processes, this study significantly contributes to the refinement of forensic methodologies.

• Woong-Bae Park(Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Republic of Korea)
• Siae Park(Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Republic of Korea)
• Dae-Hee Kim(Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Republic of Korea)
• Yuno Do(Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Republic of Korea)