Oiceoptoma noveboracense is a member of the family Silphidae, or carrion beetles, which feed on decaying organic matter such as dead animals.

This diurnal beetle can be found mainly in the spring into the fall, and it has a strong preference towards a deciduous forest habitat.

The primary forensic importance of this beetle is its ability to use the succession of insect fauna to provide confirmation of postmortem intervals.

The elytra are attached to the suture that runs down the middle of the beetle's back and range from reddish brown to black.

[6] Reproduction begins in the spring and depending on temperature it takes approximately forty-five days from the instance of mating to the emergence of the adult from the pupa.

Typically, males will firmly take hold of the female’s antennae with their mandibles in order to position themselves for sexual activity.

[9] O. noveboracense is found from the Atlantic coast of the Northeastern United States, extending along the northern edge of the prairies west to the Rocky Mountains.

[10] Due to its widespread distribution, Oiceoptoma noveboracense is frequently found on carrion and associated crime scene investigations.

They are currently used to substantiate and support insect colonization timelines and help estimate Post-mortem interval (PMI).

Ultimately, if found, these beetles corroborate the PMI data of the more useful insect colonizers with succession-pattern-based information.

However, a study has found its hindgut, midgut, and associated hemolymph can potentially harbor known opportunistic bacterial pathogens.