From larvae to justice: How Dubai Police use insects to solve unexplained deaths
Real-world environments reshaping criminal investigations across the UAE
DUBAI – When conventional autopsies reach their limits, Dubai Police are turning to an unexpected ally: insects.
Through forensic entomology, investigators are now determining time of death in cases once considered unsolvable, including those involving advanced decomposition, mummification, or environmental exposure. What began as a pilot initiative has rapidly evolved into a nationally recognised scientific system that is reshaping criminal investigations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Lt Hussein Al Marzouqi, Assistant to Biologist Expert and Scientific and Field Supervisor of the Forensic Entomologists Team, said the programme has expanded well beyond its initial scope. “We initially documented 32 insect groups. Today, we have identified 34 species in Dubai that are directly linked to different stages of decomposition,” he said, noting that insect growth patterns often provide answers when traditional forensic indicators disappear.
What insects reveal
Forensic entomology examines insect species, their life cycles, and larval development found on human remains. According to Dubai Police, these biological indicators can reveal the post-mortem interval, movement of a body, and sometimes circumstances surrounding death. This approach is particularly valuable in the UAE’s climate, where heat accelerates decomposition.
Lt Al Marzouqi told Gulf News that the absence of a regional reference database previously limited the reliability of insect-based evidence. “For years, entomology existed, but without a regional database we could not rely on it. Now that gap has been closed,” he said. The Dubai Police database records insect morphology, growth timelines, environmental distribution, and toxicological indicators, offering courts repeatable and scientifically validated evidence.
How field science works
Dubai’s rapid urban expansion required forensic research to move beyond laboratory simulations. Monitoring locations were increased from eight to 12 field sites across desert, agricultural, residential, industrial, and coastal environments. Each site includes four monitoring points, bringing the total to 48 locations equipped with solar-powered thermal cameras, GPS tracking, and instruments measuring temperature, wind speed, and humidity.
“These are not laboratory simulations. All experiments are conducted in real environments,” Lt Al Marzouqi said. Areas such as Al Khawaneej now contain multiple micro-environments due to infrastructure growth, and even minor environmental shifts can significantly affect insect development and time-of-death calculations.
When insects expose gaps
Dubai Police formally introduced a specialised forensic entomology database in 2018, following directives to integrate advanced scientific methods into criminal investigations. Developed in collaboration with NSF International, the system supports evidence-based analysis using insect species, larval growth histories, distribution patterns, and toxic content.
The groundwork was laid in 2017, when 22 forensic experts, biologists, DNA specialists, toxicologists, and crime scene officers underwent advanced forensic entomology training under PhD Jeffrey D. Wells. The programme included practical field scenarios tailored to the UAE’s natural and indoor environments, forming the scientific base for what has since become one of the region’s most advanced forensic capabilities.
Since 2022, forensic entomology has been used in nearly 40 investigations, covering natural deaths, suspected murders, suicides, and drug-related fatalities. The unit typically handles one to two cases per month, with higher volumes during hotter periods.
One case involved the discovery of a body inside a restricted industrial facility protected by fencing and private security. Although patrols were required twice daily, insect evidence revealed that no guard had entered the site for seven days. Investigators established that the deceased, a labourer living nearby, had accidentally fallen inside the compound and died from head injuries. The findings led to legal action between the site owner and the security contractor.
“We do not only uncover murder, drug or suicide cases,” Lt Al Marzouqi said. “Sometimes we expose crimes linked to negligence, inaction or dishonesty, security gaps that could threaten the emirate or the country, and we work to close them.”
Why limits still exist
Despite its effectiveness, forensic entomology is not universally applicable. In some cases, environmental barriers prevent insects from accessing remains. Lt Al Marzouqi cited a case involving a foreign couple found in mountainous terrain, where tightly wrapped bodies buried under compact clay soil produced no insect activity. In such instances, other forensic disciplines take precedence.
Conversely, in a deserted-area case involving an Asian national, insect development indicated death occurred 72 hours earlier, providing investigators with a precise and decisive timeframe.
How global missions apply
Dubai Police forensic specialists also deployed entomology expertise during a humanitarian mission to eastern Libya following Storm Daniel. With approximately 20,000 people reported missing, UAE teams remained on the ground for 40 days, helping establish forensic procedures under emergency conditions. Around 400 bodies were identified using DNA profiling and entomological analysis, ensuring accurate documentation and dignified burials for victims.
What comes next
The seven-member unit is preparing to expand operations to coastal environments, where seawater exposure introduces new decomposition variables. Artificial intelligence tools and a mobile app, developed with a Dubai-based company, are currently in the research phase, allowing preliminary insect identification at crime scenes with expert verification later.
The unit also works closely with the Ministry of Environment under the biological security framework and continues to build local expertise. One Emirati officer recently completed a UK master’s degree in forensic entomology, increasing the country’s specialist capacity.