Despite the rain and the low temperature, about 60 people woke up early on Sunday to hear five forensic anthropology experts explain some of these mysteries. It was a conference full of humor, scientific deductions and vivid stories Lee Goff, professor of Entomology at the University of Hawaii, opened the morning teasing the audience because they had come to school on a cold Sunday morning to look at pictures of dead bodies. Goff studies the insects found in corpses and can use them as evidence in crimes. By examining the insects and the size of the eggs laid in the wounds and scratches, Goff can tell how old they are. Only then he can determine when the person was killed.
Insects are predictable.
But sometimes estimating the time of death can get complicated, he said. In other occasions bodies are moved from the crime scene, and Goff said he knows when it happens. Some species don't like the outdoors or urban situations. The habitat of the insect is therefore one of the keys for the crime scene characterization, he said. And if the forensic team is observant, he said, and the murderer can be found.