Department of Biology - Forensics & Forensic Entomology

Forensics refers to the determination of the cause, location and time of death.  Entomology is the study of insects. Forensic Entomology uses insects to help law enforcement determine the cause, location and time of death of a human being.  Insect life cycles act as precise clocks which begin within minutes of death.  They can be used to closely determine the time of death when other methods are useless.  They can also show if a body has been moved after death. For more on Dr. Haskell, click here For more information on Forensic Entomology, click here. For information on the Biology – Forensics major at Saint Joseph’s College, click here.

The following description of Forensic Entomology at Saint Joseph's College was written by Megan Taylor, a graduate of Saint Joseph's College and former student of Dr. Haskell.  She has participated in his research and also attended National Conferences of Forensic Scientists.  The picture on the left shows her collecting insect specimens from a poached deer carcass on Dr. Haskell's farm.  Dr. Haskell uses poached animals from law enforcement agents or pigs obtained from Purdue University.  Pigs are normally used for experimentation because insects colonize them in the same way they would colonize a human body.

  "While a specific major in this field is not available, Saint Joseph’s College offers a "Designer Major" in Biology with both indoor classes and field experience in forensic science.  We are fortunate enough to have on staff Dr. Neal Haskell, a world-famous forensic entomologist.  Using Dr. Saferstien’s text, slides of actual cases completed, and handouts from a variety of other sources, Dr. Haskell offers several classes, including "Introduction to Forensic Science" and "Advanced Forensics", as well as "Entomology" (study of insects) for those interested in that arena.  He puts on mock trials at the end of his classes to give his students the feel of the courtroom and what it is like to testify in the field.

   To become a good forensic scientist, one must first be a good scientist.  An emphasis in any science at the undergraduate level will prepare you for graduate studies in forensics, but at Saint Joe, undergraduate students have the chance to work in and visit labs, assist with cases, meet many respected scientists in a variety of forensic disciplines, partake in research and travel to different places to hear talks and trials, and view forensics in action.  These opportunities are available to anyone, including freshman, and the experience gained from what Dr. Haskell offers is irreplaceable on both a resume and a graduate school application.

    As a student of Dr. Haskell’s for three years, I have had the opportunity to do a great deal that many students do not get until graduate school.  I have assisted in instructing workshops on evidence collection that are attended by police and lab technologists.   I have worked on casework that comes in and out of Dr. Haskell’s lab, as well as on research that will be published.  I have been lucky enough to travel with him to Reno, Seattle, Michigan and around Indiana to conferences where I can network with those in the field and get my foot in the door for jobs.  I have been able to meet some of the most famous and best scientists, all of whom are willing to help any student out with their career goals.  Dr. Haskell helped me to become a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the largest and most crucial organization of forensic scientists, as well as to find internships, graduate schools and employment.  He is more than willing to help any student interested in the field to do anything.  There is always something he is working on that he will allow students to assist with.

    The program is young and not yet fully developed, but if there is an interest, there are many possibilities for students to gain experience and knowledge in this field while still obtaining a solid backbone of science.   I am truly blessed to have been able to experience all that I have as a junior, and I look forward to senior year and what could present itself to me to do.  I know that anyone who wants to become involved with the program would surely say the same."
                                                                                                                                        Megan Taylor

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