ReachHigher – Marcus Schwarz gives lecture on “Forensic Entomology”

On Monday, May 11, 2020, our latest ReachHigher issue took place – this time with Marcus Schwarz. The forensic entomologist works and researches at the Institute for Forensic Medicine of the University of Leipzig Medical Faculty, where he is currently conducting his doctoral thesis. However, his lecture entitled “Forensic Entomology – Insects as Murder Witnesses” was mainly about his work at crime scenes throughout Germany.

Via Zoom, the Leipzig native provided the UMCH students with fascinating insights into his work and thus into a world that is completely alien to most people. Among other things, he talked about the different types of insects that can occur at a crime scene and unknowingly help him and his colleagues to solve crimes. It was also about what these insects actually do to the human body after death and what conclusions can be drawn from this.

The 45-minute presentation was not for the faint of heart. On the contrary: it became more than clear that not everyone is made for Marcus Schwarz’s profession. Even more important that there are people like him, without whom many criminal cases could probably never be solved.