How Entomologists Use Insects to Solve Crimes | WIRED

"Insects never lie. Insects are tiny witnesses," says forensic entomologist Dr. Paola Magni. On a crime scene, insects like maggots play a key role in determining time of death. Dr. Magni uses the learnings from these insects to give justice to victims.

Director: Maya Dangerfield
Director of Photography: Kyra Klaasen
Editor: Ron Douglas
Expert: Dr. Paola Magni
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell


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[khalilahd.]

This is actually really incredible. I feel like I never would’ve thought of using “these tiny witnesses” to solve crimes. Really cool 👏🏽

[afterwrecked]

criminals: Ah yes I covered all my tracks, they'll never get me
insects: Yum free food

[MadisonHarvill]

In my high school criminal justice class, we had to do this. We placed raw chicken in different types of environments, and recorded what happened to them over the course of a couple of weeks. We had to learn about the different insects, as well as their life cycles. I miss that class lol. The teacher always had us doing cool things.

[tiernodiallo]

Imagine getting brought down by a bug 💀

[Rno]

Dr. Hodgins taught me some of this. Bones was an excellent show.

[TwoHeadedBull]

Yooo this is great video, I wish it was an hour long documentary. Also I must to admit, watching CSI Las Vegas with Grissom was my introduction to these little helpers many many years ago.

[AdarshKumar-njrp]

I've always been fascinated with entomology but I never knew application of this discipline. Thank you for this video.

[daniellesolari]

This is an incredibly interesting way 2 rather different branches of science come together

[bastetsagony]

i’ve always been really interested in both pathology and entomology. this is very interesting to see how they overlap

[AFinds_VCR]

And i wouldve gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those ROTTEN BUGS 😂

[somnathmaiti]

I am a forensic science student... This type video is too much helpful for me....thank u ❤️❤️

[bl]

I imagine that these scientists must have iron nose to be able to withstand the smell of decomposed bodies..day in and day out..

[jopo]

She has a lovely personality, but there would be some people she would bug.

[dynamitedingo]

good to know that world leading forensic research is happening in Australia

[jacobkeyser]

Dr Jack Hodgins always was my favorite

[janetf]

Brava Dr. Magni 👏 Good thing for all of us that there are people with such dedication as you.👍

[marianhreads]

I didn't know this was a thing. So fascinating!

[edvaira]

Dr Gil Grissom of the LV Crime Lab would concur!

[frejaledsom]

This just makes me think of ‘bug boy’ on bones

[spookayitsme]

0:04 Four seconds in and there's an error in subtitles/captioning ... Its called a phorid fly, not a floored fly. 🤦‍♂️