Dead Men Tell No Tales — But Bugs Do

Even to the most hardened investigators, the worst part of examining a decomposing corpse can be coping with its buzzing, wriggling, burrowing infestation of flies, maggots and other insects. Even coroners — not normally the queasiest of folk — can find themselves affected. But to Canadian Gail Anderson, 39, "it's really just a science." Professor Anderson is head of the forensic entomology laboratory at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. It is the first university lab in North America founded for the sole purpose of refining the ways in which insect biology can help solve crimes.

While a grad student,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!