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ejwatson@samford.edu

My doctoral research focused primarily on the use of insects in determining time of death of Louisiana wildlife species to strengthen and expand the relatively new field of Forensic Entomology. This included documenting development rates, species composition and faunal succession patterns of all necrophilous insects associated with Louisiana Black Bear (a threatened species), Whitetail deer, alligator, and swine (experimental control). The research provided the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with an additional method for postmortem interval estimation of suspicious wildlife deaths, and ultimately, to incriminate poachers.

During the past two decades entomological data have emerged as valuable tools in criminal investigations of humans and wildlife. Two procedures for estimating postmortem intervals (PMI’s) have emerged: 1) determining the age of fly larvae associated with decaying remains; and 2) comparing faunal succession data with known patterns for similar scenarios. The former (i.e., development rates of fly larvae of Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae) have been the traditional indicators of postmortem, as well as the focus of most research conducted to date. Though I, too, am intimately connected with "maggots", my real interest lies with the lesser known but potentially important "secondary" indicator taxa. Fundamentally, necrophilous insects are associated with decaying remains at various stages of decomposition according to their individual life histories. I am attempting to provide additional life history information for some species within the following taxa: Coleoptera: Cleridae, Dermestidae, Histeridae, Leiodidae, Nitidulidae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, Silvanidae, and Staphylinidae. Diptera: Empididae, Fannidae, Phoridae, Piophilidae, Sphaeroceridae, Stratiomyidae.

EDUCATION

Louisiana State University  Baton Rouge, LA. Ph.D. Entomology: August, 2004.

Western Washington University  Bellingham, WA. B.A. Biological Anthropology: August 1997.

RESEARCH EMPHASIS

1.  Establish an entomological protocol for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation of suspicious wildlife deaths of Louisiana wildlife.

2.  Evaluate the wildlife carrion habit regarding carcass decomposition rates and community structure, faunal succession, and species and life stage interactions of necrophilous arthropods associated with three wildlife species.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE and EMPLOYMENT

2006-present. Assistant Projessor, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA.

2006. Adjunct Biology Faculty, Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

2005-2006. Adjunct Biology Faculty, Jefferson State Community College, Birmingham, AL.

2004-2005. Postdoctoral Researcher, St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District/Tulane University, New Orleans. 

2005.  Adjunct Biology Faculty, Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge, LA.

2000-Present. Forensic entomology consultant to local and national agencies (see below)  

2000-Present. Invited forensic entomology instructor for law enforcement and academic institutions

2000-2002. Forensic entomology instructor for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team Human Remains Recovery School

2002. Teaching Assistant ENTM 4199 Arthropods of Public Health and Urban Importance

2000. Crime Scene-Basic, 32 hr In-Service Training, Baton Rouge Police Dept. Training Academy

 FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY CONSULTING

2000-Present. Homicide/Natural deaths: 17 cases.

          Myiasis: three cases.

Civil/Food infestations: six cases.

Court testimony/Depositions: two and two supoenas for upcoming trials.

1998-2000. Assistant to Dr. C. L. Meek in the LSU Medical Entomology Laboratory.

  AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

2004. Feature forensic entomologist during Discovery Channel filming of "Megabugs" (aired in Europe fall 2004/spring 2005).

2004.  Featured radio guest on "Louisiana Live' with Don Grady, the Louisiana Network (August 11).

2003-2004. Louisiana State University Graduate School Dissertation Fellowship Award.

2002. Featured instructor for FBI Human Remains Recovery School, Channel 8, WVLT, Knoxville, TN (March 20).

2001. Featured researcher in USA TODAY; “Strange harvest at the Body Farm Researchers lift clues of death from a field of donated cadavers,” April 16.

2000. Featured researcher in LSU Agricultural Center Communications Press Release; “Forensic Entomology: Erin Watson”.

2000. Best Presentation: 54^th Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.  Estimating postmortem intervals of wildlife carcasses using necrophilous insects. 

1999. Featured researcher in LSU Today (Science & Technology, May 7, 15(37): 5.

PROFESSIONAL AND HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

American Entomological Society  

Entomological Society of America

North American Dipterist Society

Sigma Xi

Southern Criminal Justice Association

ACADEMIC COMMITTEES-LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

2001-2002. Distinguished Guest Lecturer Committee, Department of Entomology

2000-2002. Courses and Curriculum Committee, Department of Entomology

PUBLICATONS

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton. 2005. Succession of forensically important Silphidae species on large carcasses (Coleoptera). Southeastern Naturalist: in press, 4(X): 12 pp..

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton. 2005. Insects succession and decomposition of wildlife carcasses during Fall and Winter in Louisiana. J. Med. Ent. 42(2): 193-203.

Watson, E.J., MacKay, A.J. and G.R. Oremus. 2005. Formal Student Debate, Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, 2002. Con Position. Eradication of insect vectors of disease should receive priority over vector management. Am. Entomol. 51(2): 106. 

MacKay, A.J., G.R. Oremus and E.J. Watson. 2005. Formal Student Debate, Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, 2002. Introduction.  Publicly funded mosquito control efforts in urban areas should take precedence over private concerns regarding pesticide exposure. Am. Entomol. 51(2): 108-109.  

Watson, E.J.G.  2004.  Faunal Succession of Necrophilous Insects Associated with High-Profile Wildlife Carcasses in Louisiana, Ph.D. Dissertation, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. 219 pp. (http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07062004-114807/).

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton.  2003.  Spring succession of necrophilous insects on wildlife carcasses in Louisiana.  J. Med. Ent. 40(3): 338-347.

Gore, J., Castro, B., Tindall, K. and E. Watson. 2004. Formal Student Debate, Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, 2001. Introduction: The use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture will lead to increased levels of biological diversity in agro-ecosystems. Am. Entomol. 49(1): 41-42. 

Castro, B., Gore, J, Tindall, K. and E. Watson. 2004. Formal Student Debate, Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, 2001. Pro Position. Crops that are genetically modified using transgenic approaches require stricter regulations than crops modified by conventional crop breeding approaches. Am. Entomol. 49(1): 43-44.   

Watson, E.J. 2001. Insects Incriminate Poachers of Louisiana Wildlife. LA Agric. 44(2): 18-19.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Insects and the Establishment of Postmortem Intervals of Humans and Wildlife.  Southern Criminal Justice Association Annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA (published abstract).

Watson, E.J., Meek, C.L., Spillman, B.L., and P.E. Bowman. 2000. Estimating postmortem intervals of wildlife carcasses using necrophilous insects. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 54: 478-489.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/INVITED LECTURES/WORKSHOPS  

Watson, E.J. 2005. "Creep, Fly, Crawl: God Made Us All!" St. Bernard School's 12th Annual Science Symposium.  Individual Speaker, "BSI: Bug Scene Investigation", Breaux Bridge, LA.  

Watson, E.J. 2004. Invited lecturer, 2004 Summer Reading Program-Buggy about Books. East Baton Rouge Public Library

Watson, E.J. 2004. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology-Dating Death. Principles and Methods of Epidemiology and Disease Control (II). Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.  

Watson, E.J. 2004. Invited lecturer. Insects as indicators of time of death (lecture and lab).  Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.  New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2003. Forensic Entomology and Wildlife: The Use of Insects to Incriminate Poachers.  North American Forensic Entomology Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Watson, E.J. 2003. Forensic Science. Walker High School (one hour presentation).

Watson, E.J. 2003. Invited lecturer. Insects as indicators of time of death (lecture and lab).  Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.  New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2003. Invited lecturer.  Women in Science: Forensic Entomology. Louisiana Audubon Institute Nature Center.  New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2002. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology. Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team Unit, Human Remains Recovery School, University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center, Knoxville, TN.

Watson, E.J. 2002. Forensic Science. Walker High School (one hour presentation).

Watson, E.J. 2002. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology-Dating Death. Principles and Methods of Epidemiology and Disease Control (II). Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton. 2002. Carrion beetles on the witness stand: using silphid larvae in forensic entomology. Student Paper, 76^th Annual Meeting Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society America, Little Rock, AR.

Watson, E.J. 2002. Invited lecturer. Insects as indicators of time of death (lecture and lab). Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton. 2001. Fine tuning time of death using succession patterns of neglected insects. Student Paper, Entomological Society of America National Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Course Lecture: ENTM 2001.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Forensic Science. Walker High School (one hour presentation).

Watson, E.J. 2001. Insects and the establishment of postmortem intervals of humans and wildlife. Southern Criminal Justice Association Annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology. Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team Unit, Human Remains Recovery School, University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center, Knoxville, TN.  

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology. Basic Forensic Pathology for Law Enforcement and Death Investigators. The Southern Institute of Forensic Science and the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology and Death Investigation. Medico-Legal Investigation of Death. Department of Criminal Justice, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS.

Watson, E.J. and C.E. Carlton. 2001. Invited lecturer. Seasonal changes of necrophilous insects associated with high profile wildlife carcasses. Forensic Entomology Symposium, 75^th Annual Meeting Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society America, Augusta, GA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology-Dating Death. Principles and Methods of Epidemiology and Disease Control (II). Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Flies and Mosquitoes. Louisiana Pest Control Association and Louisiana State University Summer Pest Control Institute, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology. Human Skeletal Remains, Search, Recovery, and Identification. The Southern Institute of Forensic Science and the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA. 

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. The role of an entomologist in death investigations. Capital City Kiwanis Club, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2001. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology: the use of insects in determining time of death. Baton Rouge Chapter of the Association for Women in Science, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 2000. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology. Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team Unit, Human Remains Recovery School. University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center, Knoxville, TN.

Watson, E.J. 2000. Invited lecturer. Flies and Mosquitoes. Louisiana Pest Control Association and Louisiana State University Summer Pest Control Institute, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2000. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology (lecture and lab). Baton Rouge Police Department Training Academy, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. 2000. Invited lecturer. Use of insects in determining time of death. Louisiana State University Chapter of Tri Beta, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 2000. Estimating postmortem intervals of wildlife carcasses using necrophilous insects. 54^th Annual conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 2000. Estimating PMI of high profile wildlife using necrophilous insects. Student Paper, Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Watson, E.J. 2000 Invited lecturer. Use of insects in criminal investigations. (lecture and lab). Louisiana State University Law Enforcement Department, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 2000. Invited lecturer. Necrophilous insects of importance (lecture and lab). Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. New Orleans, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 2000. Invited lecturer. Forensic Entomology (lecture and lab). Introduction to Forensic Anthropology. Department of Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Watson, E.J. and C.L. Meek. 1999. Necrophilous insects on wildlife carcasses. Louisiana Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA.

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

2002. Formal Conference: Student Debates: Medical Entomology.  Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

2002. Linnaean Games, 76^th Annual Meeting Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society America, Little Rock, AR.

2001. Formal Conference: Student Debates: Genetically Modified Organisms. Entomological Society of America, National Meeting, San Diego, CA.

2001. Linnaean Games, 75^th Annual Meeting Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society America, Augusta, GA.

SERVICE

Science Fair Mentor (2003-2004). Heather Freeman, St. Joseph Academy, Baton Rouge, LA (10th grade). Awarded 2nd place Zoology, Local Fair; first place Senior Zoology, Regional Fair; 2nd place Senior Zoology, 50th Louisiana State Science Fair; also awarded U. S. Air Force Outstanding Science or Engineering Fair Project, U. S. Army Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Science Project for Region VII, and Certificate of Achievement from the Association for Women in Science.

LSU Entomology Club President (2001-2002)

LSU Entomology Linnaean Team (2000-2002)

LSU Entomology Debate Team (2001-present)

“Bring Your Daughter to Work Day” (2000)

Earth Day 2000, featured booth, Baton Rouge, LA. 

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