Gail Anderson

Gail Anderson is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU), holding roles as Associate Member of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and Associate Director of the SFU School of Criminology's Undergraduate Programs. Her work bridges forensic science, entomology, and criminal justice, focusing on applications of insect ecology to legal investigations. She specializes in decomposition studies, forensic entomology, and wrongful conviction analysis.

Research interests include human and animal decomposition processes, insect succession patterns, and the impact of environmental factors (e.g., temperature, submersion, urbanization) on forensic evidence. She has pioneered studies in marine taphonomy and carrion scavenging dynamics. Her work also addresses systemic issues in criminal justice systems, particularly wrongful convictions and pandemic-related disruptions to forensic practices.

Publications span over three decades, with notable contributions to forensic entomology methodologies, decomposition in aquatic environments, and legal reforms. She has advised on high-profile cases involving entomological evidence and collaborates internationally on transnational forensic challenges. Her research often integrates multidisciplinary approaches, combining biological sciences with legal and social sciences.

Anderson's work emphasizes practical applications, such as improving death investigation protocols and educating the public on postmortem processes. She maintains an active research laboratory and frequently engages in public outreach through media and academic conferences.