The science behind solving serious crime

King's MSc students are studying insect behaviour to help solve murder cases. King's has been at the cutting edge of forensic science for many years, working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to develop innovative techniques and test new methods to collect and analyse evidence in criminal cases. This month King's has strengthened this relationship and entered into a strategic alliance with the MPS, which will enable researchers to develop ever more effective ways to investigate serious crime. The Forensic Science MSc programme began as a joint venture 30 years ago between the forensic scientists working for the MPS and the College. This week King's MSc student Poulomi Bhadra explained to a room of journalists at the Natural History Museum how her forensic entomology project (the study of insects) seeks to answer the number one question posed by Senior Investigating Officers of insect evidence in criminal cases; when did the victim die? The primary insects used to determine when a victim has died are blowflies. However, their arrival on a body can be delayed by many factors including physical barriers. Poulomi is studying flies and whether they can lay their eggs through zips, which is helping detectives to solve crimes in which bodies are dumped in suitcases and bags.