Gail Anderson

For the American graphic designer, see Gail Anderson (graphic designer).
Gail Anderson

Anderson in 2009
Nationality Canadian
Fields Forensic Entomology, Forensic Science
Alma mater Simon Fraser University, Manchester University
Thesis The diagnosis and treatment of Culicoides hypersensitivity in horses in British Columbia (1992)

Gail S. Anderson is a forensic entomologist, academic, and Associate Director of the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. She is an instructor at the Canadian Police College, a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Canadian Society of Forensic Science, as well as a member of the Canadian Identification Society and the International Association for Identification.[1]

Originally a high school science technician, Anderson went on to become Canada’s first full-time forensic entomologist in 1992.[2] In 2001, Time Magazine named Anderson one of North America's leading innovators in the field of law enforcement.[2] Anderson's research has helped to solve murders, catch poachers, and serve as a resource for archaeologists. Her expert witness testimony has been used in many homicides including the Robert Pickton Trial.

Research

Anderson is the director of the Forensic Entomology Laboratory at Simon Fraser University. The laboratory was established in 1999 and was the first lab in North America to focus specifically on solving crimes through the study of insect biology.[3] She has gone on to create the world's first database of flesh eating insects to be used in murder investigations.[4]

Education

Anderson received her undergraduate degree (B. Sc. Honours Zoology) from Manchester University, and her Master of Pest Management (MPM) and PhD from Simon Fraser University. Initially Anderson intended to work in the medical veterinary field using entomology, however, when her supervisor at Simon Fraser University had to look for someone to head up forensic entomology in the department after a colleague quit, Anderson decided to take on the role.[5]

Awards and honors

Anderson received the Derome Award (2001), the top award of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science,[6] and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Science and Technology (1999).[4]

References

  1. ↑ Watkins, Kerry; Anderson, Gail; Rondinelli, V. (2013). Evidence and investigation: From the crime scene to the courtroom. Toronto, ON: Emond Montgomery.
  2. 1 2 Galashan, Sarah (March 13, 2001). "Crime-solving work with bugs honoured: SFU forensic entomologist selected by Time magazine as an innovator in law enforcement". Vancouver Sun.
  3. ↑ Fernandez, S.M. (2001). "Dead Men Tell No Tales--but Bugs Do". Time 157 (11): 58.
  4. 1 2 Meadahl, Marianne (2001). "Anderson wins top honour". SFU News 22 (7).
  5. ↑ Jones, N. (2002). "Dead Reckoning". New Scientist 173 (2325): 38.
  6. ↑ "Kudos". Vancouver Sun. January 14, 2002.

Sources

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