Lab News
April 2025
Another successful Bug Bowl! The Hans Lab had a wonderful time and almost 800 pieces of maggot art were created during our event this year!
Pictured above: Hans Lab members and Purdue Forensic Science Club volunteers at Bug Bowl 2025
March 2025
Teomie River-Miranda passed her defense and officially became Dr. Rivera-Miranda! Teomie is the first Ph.D. from the Hans Lab and has accomplished so much in her time here at Purdue.
The Hans Lab hosted Love Eriksson, a visting scientist and Swedish Fulbright Scholar in the Weidner Lab at Arizona State University for the 2024-2025 academic year. Love helped us with archaeoentomology projects and got to experience some of the Purdue culture.
February 2025
Dr. Hans presented her research at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference in Baltimore, Maryland. This meeting is always a wonderful time to see colleagues and collaborators from across the US and internationally.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Lauren Weidner, Dr. Mark Benecke, Dr. Krystal Hans.
December 2024
Vanessa Cooper passed her master’s defense in November and graduated in December 2024. She was the first Purdue student to graduate from the Hans lab!
November 2024
Hans Lab members presented their research at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Phoenix, Arizona.
Pictured left to right: Michael Monzon, Dr. Krystal Hans, Vanessa Cooper
October 2024
The annual Cold Case Symposium was held in Jacksonville, Florida this year, hosted at the University of North Florida in partnership with Project: Cold Case. Watch all presentations from the 2024 Cold Case Symposium here.
August 2024
Members of the Hans Lab delivered presentations at the International Congress of Entomology in Kyoto, Japan. This conference was a great time to see our international collaborators from Sweden!
Pictured left to right: Dr. Philip Buckland, Vanessa Cooper, Dr. Krystal Hans, Michael Monzon, Love Eriksson
July 2024
Dr. Hans delivered a presentation at the Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences annual conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr. Hans and colleague Dr. Lauren Weidner co-taught a forensic entomology workshop for forensic professionals from across Malaysia and Singapore, hosted at the Universiti Technologi MARA (UiTM).
Pictured above: Dr. Hans, Dr. Tania Ivorra, Dr. Lauren Weidner, Dr. Chong Chin Heo.
June 2024
Another summer with the 4H Academy, leading a workshop on forensic science. We had a wonderful group of dedicated high school students learning about forensic entomology and wildlife forensics!
May 2024
Dr. Hans provided a law enforcement training at Purdue University for law enforcement from across the country. Hans lab members gave lectures and assisted with the field and lab demonstrations.
April 2024
Bug Bowl 2024 was a success! The Hans Lab provided demonstrations, activities and maggot art for community members!
March 2024
The Hans Lab traveled to the University of Puerto Rico Bayamón to provide a forensic entomology workshop for students, faculty and forensic practitioners.
February 2024
The Hans Lab attended the American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference in Denver, CO. This conference was a great opportunity to present our research, meet with collaborators and learn about new areas in forensic science. 
Pictured from left to right: Teomie Rivera-Miranda, Dr. Krystal Hans, Kelly Bagsby, Vanessa Cooper
November 2023
Hans Lab graduate students Teomie Rivera-Miranda (left) and Vanessa Cooper (right) presented the results of their research at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in National Harbor, Maryland.
October 2023
The 2nd Cold Case Symposium, co-hosted by Dr. Hans and Ryan Backmann of Project: Cold Case, was hosted at Purdue University on October 12, 2023. The event was well attended, both in-person and virtually, and included speakers from advocacy organizations, law enforcement, forensic professionals and families impacted by unresolved cases. This event offers a platform to share information, mobilize support and offer resources for the community, forensic science, law enforcement and families in need. Read more about the Cold Case Symposium here.
Loren O'Keeffe, Founder of The Missed Foundation (left), Dr. Krystal Hans (center), and Ryan Backmann, Founder of Project: Cold Case at the 2023 Cold Case Symposium hosted at Purdue University.
August 2023
We invite you to join us again for the Cold Case Symposium on October 12, 2023 at Purdue University to learn from experts and leave with action to support the families seeking answers in unsolved cases.
By joining us at the Cold Case Symposium 2023, you're not just enhancing your own skills—you're using the power of collective impact to align resources and mobilize support for unsolved cases.
This year Dr. Krystal R. Hans in conjunction with Ryan Backmann (Project: Cold Case), will bring you the opportunity to:
🔬 Unleash New Techniques: Immerse yourself in sessions designed to equip you with best practices in forensic demonstrations and techniques to sharpen your skills and discover fresh approaches to analyzing evidence.
💡 Gain Insights from Experts: Thoughtful discussions with seasoned investigators, forensic scientists, legal professionals, families and compassionate victim advocates. Explore best practices, navigate ethical dilemmas, and gain a comprehensive perspective on cold case investigations.
🌐 Explore Digital Advancements: The latest breakthroughs in DNA analysis and digital forensics are being used to bring justice. Learn how to leverage these innovative tools for cold cases that were once deemed unsolvable.
🤝 Forge Lasting Connections: Collaborate with a diverse community of experts—some in professional training, others in lived experience as family advocates of the murdered and missing to expand your network and strengthen your resolve in seeking justice for families who are looking for resolution.
This event is offered in-person and online. To secure your spot, we recommend registering early as space is limited. Join us in making a positive impact together.
Join us for real stories, real support and real resources.
July 2023
Dr. Hans serves as an instructor for law enforcement at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. In July, Dr. Hans and her lab members lead a workshop in forensic entomology to train officers on the collection and analysis of insect evidence.
Dr. Hans and Teomie attended and presented at the International Congress of Dipterology conference in Reno, Nevada.
June 2023
The Hans Lab at NAFEA (left to right): Teomie Rivera-Miranda, Vanessa Cooper, Dr. Krystal Hans and Kelly Bagsby, presented their research at the North American Forensic Entomology Association Conference at Arizona State University. Vanessa Cooper won an award for Best Masters Student Presentation.
April 2023
The Hans Lab participated in Bug Bowl 2023, with forensic entomology activities for the community. Our lab provided information about forensic entomology, a treasure hunt for forensic insects, observation stations of the blow fly life cycle and maggot art!
Pictured above from left to right: Aubrey Williams, Dr. Hans, Vanessa Cooper, Kelly Bagsby, Teomie Rivera-Miranda. Pictured below: maggot art!
Aubrey Williams presented her undergraduate research at the Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference. Her poster discussed her work with concrete encasement and decomposition.
November 2022
Dr. Krystal Hans received the Richard L. Kohl's Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award from the College of Agriculture. Pictured below is Dean Karen Plaut (left), Dr. Hans (center), and Associate Dean Dr. Christine Wilson (right).
August 2022
Kelly Bagsby defended her master's thesis and graduated from the University of Florida. Congratulations Kellly on your achievement!
June 2022
Students from the Hans Lab, Summer Brantley, Kelly Bagsby, Vanessa Cooper, and Teomie Rivera-Miranda, presented their research at the North American Forensic Entomology Association Conference in New Jersey.
The students each gave a fantastic presentation and Kelly Bagsby won the Best Presentation (Master’s Level) Award!
May 2022
Congratulations to Teomie Rivera and Vanessa Cooper for receiving travel awards from NAFEA (North American Forensic Entomology Association)!
Congratulations to all Purdue 2022 graduates, especially our students Summer Brantley, Ashley Brazaeu and Autumn Greer!
April 2022
Congratulations to Teomie Rivera for receiving the Elanco Animal Health Graduate Endowment Award!February 2022
Collaborations with Uncovered: Dr. Hans and Rachael Rosslet presented about student involvement in cold case investigations at the American Academy of Forensic Science in Seattle! Their talk was titled Integrating Cold Case Investigations in Forensic Science Education: Student Engagement in Research, Information Literacy and Data Visualization.
January 2022
Dr. Hans was selected for the Societal Impact Fellows Program, offered through the Office of Engagement at Purdue.
November 2021
Dr. Hans was selected for the Early Career Recognition Symposium at the Entomological Society of America conference in Denver. She presented her research in forensic entomology and student learning in a presentation titled CSI (Cultivating Scientific Inquiry): Teaching and Research in Forensic Entomology.
