DNA characterization from gut content of larvae of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera, Phoridae).

• Insects from a crime scene can be useful in the victim identification process. • Megaselia scalaris is an important colonizer of buried or indoor bodies. • 5 protocols were evaluated in order to optimize the gut content extraction. • Despite the small size the larval gut content was successfully extracted. • Full STR profiles were obtained using a minimum of a single larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]