The Forensic Investigations of Entomology in Life and Death (FIELD) Lab launched at Washington State University in August of 2026, thanks to the generous support of the CAHNRS Cashup Davis Dean’s Faculty Fellowship Program and the department of Entomology.
The F.I.E.L.D. Lab will bring forensic entomology to the Pacific Northwest and Washington State University through the three pillars of the land grant university mission: Teaching, Research, and Extension.
Dr. Rae Olsson, the director of the F.I.E.L.D. Lab is an assistant professor in the department of entomology, where they specialize in insect ecology. Though their training was focused on pollinators, the ecological methods translate to other ecosystems, including the ecology of human and animal remains, and other areas of forensic importance. Dr. Olsson is a certified technician with the American Board of Forensic Entomology (T-ABFE # 155).
What is Forensic Entomology?
Forensic Entomology is any intersection of insects and the legal system, both civil and criminal. A forensic entomologist is a highly trained scientist who specializes in the application of entomology to forensic scenarios.
- Medicolegal Forensic Entomology is the application of entomological methods and knowledge to support law enforcement and death investigators in cases involving death, neglect, and abuse of people and animals.
- Urban Forensic Entomology applies entomology to situations where there may be civil or criminal impacts of insect presence, infestation, or outbreak.
- Stored Products Forensic Entomology investigates how insect damage to commercial goods and food products happen, and can assist in determining responsibility.
Extension in Forensic Entomology
Law Enforcement and Death Investigators
- Contact the FIELD lab for training and guidance on collecting and handling entomological evidence
- Fee schedule for entomology evidence analysis: coming soon
Upcoming Events
- 2027 North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA) annual conference, Puyallup WA June 23 – 25, 2027
- American Board of Forensic Entomology (ABFE) Technician training, June 2027. Puyallup WA
Teaching Forensic Entomology
Students interested in learning more about Forensic Entomology are encouraged to take ENTOM 210- Insects and Death (4- UCORE-BSCI). This course teaches students to think critically and use the scientific method through the lens of forensic entomology. Open to all Pullman Campus WSU students, this course may be of particular interest to students studying Criminal Justice, Animal Science, Biology, Public Health and many others.
The F.I.E.L.D. Lab will also provide opportunities for undergraduate research on topics relevant to forensic entomology.
Research in Forensic Entomology
- Surveys of insects of forensic interest in the Pacific Northwest
- Insect development of forensically relevant insects
- Wildfire smoke impacts on the development of insects