According to Wharton,[8] the exact nomenclature of this species is dynamic and currently has two accepted names: Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis and Bercaea cruentata.

Thomas Pape [1], who is considered to be the world's foremost expert on Sarcophagidae uses Sarcophaga but has assigned several subgenera, including Bercaea.

[11] Sarcophaga pernix (Bercaea cruentata) is one of the most common species of Sarcophagidae recovered from indoor crime scenes in the United States.

Sarcophaga pernix (Bercaea cruentata) gives live birth to larvae with the female retaining the egg case in her abdomen.

The female has a strong desire to lay larvae on the flesh and have even been noted to larviposit on the sleeve of a garment that has been previously soiled with blood.

[15] Due to its attraction to feces and carrion, S. pernix has been accounted for as a dipteran species that may serve as a mechanical vector for disease, especially if it intrudes homes.

Bacteria can be transferred physically from the fly's body, legs, or proboscis, to an animal, human food, or open sores.

When meat contaminated with live larvae is eaten, the maggots can make their way into the gastrointestinal tract and infest the intestines.

[5][6] In one documented case of gastrointestinal myiasis, a patient was admitted into a neurology clinic, and after several days, maggots were found in his stool.

[21] Knowing the pupation and life cycle times of S. haemorrhoidalis and taking into consideration that this species is ovoviviparous allows investigators to calculate how long the fly has been on the corpse.

The maggots can live in amphibious habitats in which many other fly species may not be able to thrive or breed, making it possible for them to be the first dipterans on a corpse in wet weather.

[23] Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Canary Islands, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Gruzia, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Chad, Yemen, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan.

(Pape, 11)[22] Although limited now, research on colonization and degree day temperature growth rates at the species level would bolster Sarcophaga pernix (Bercaea cruentata) involvement and credibility as a crime scene post mortem interval witness in forensics.

This role in sometimes first colonizing corpses at crime scenes along with its capability of myiasis makes this a forensically relevant species.