Bees can help investigators find a body, research at Virginia’s newest body farm

Jul 20, 2023

News

Bees could be the key to finding missing people. Did that get your attention?

It’s one of the many interesting research projects going on in Virginia. George Mason University has what’s called a “body farm.” It is new and one of only a few in the nation.

10 News got an inside look at the process in Northern Virginia and how you can be part of the research helping investigators solve murders now and in the future.

“These little scientists with wings on them, they’re going to be able to take us to the body,” Mary Ellen O’Toole, the Forensic Science Program Director at GMU said, while standing outside of a bee hive on campus.

Bees helping investigators work murder cases.

Mary Ellen O’Toole

Topics:

Forensic Investigations

Research Areas:

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.