News and Events
[printer friendly version]posted on 6/14/11
Saint Joseph's College Professor Neal Haskell a Key Witness in Casey Anthony Trial
Photo courtesy of Joe Burbank/AP
On Saturday, June 11, Saint Joseph's College Professor of Biology Dr. Neal Haskell took the stand as a witness for the prosecution in the highly publicized Casey Anthony trial. The prosecution alleges that Anthony killed her daughter by knocking her out with chloroform and taping her nose and mouth, putting the body in black trash bags, and storing it in the trunk of her car before dumping the body in nearby woods.
Haskell, nationally recognized for his work as a forensic entomology consultant, testified regarding tiny flies that were found in the trunk of Anthony's car. The presence of flies indicated that something had started to decompose in the trunk, but not necessarily a human body. Based on his observations and analysis, Haskell determined that whatever led the flies to the trunk had been there for three to five days. Haskell also said, without a doubt, that the body had been in the woods for many months.
Haskell has offered his expertise in more than 450 death investigation cases since 1981, the most recent one being the murder of seven-year-old Danielle Van Dam in Sabre Springs, Calif. He's been featured on Court TV, HBO, The Discovery Channel, and PBS, and highlighted in Popular Science and Discovery magazines. He is frequently asked to speak at engagements sponsored by groups such as the New York State Police, the Washington State Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, and the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute and Criminal Justice departments.
Haskell teaches various entomology and forensics classes at SJC within the Natural Science Division as well as parts of the Core Curriculum.
Saint Joseph's College, named a "character-building college" by the Templeton Foundation and a "best Midwestern college" by the Princeton Review, is a four-year, Catholic college offering 25 majors, 4 group majors, 32 minors, and 9 pre-professional programs, complemented by the nationally acclaimed Core Program. Founded and sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, SJC is located in Rensselaer, Indiana, approximately 90 minutes from both Chicago and Indianapolis, on a park-like campus of 180 acres and has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.
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