About

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Assistant Professor of Forensic Entomology

Director of Forensic Science

Department of Entomology

August 2021-Present

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Continuing Lecturer

Department of Entomology

January 2019-July 2021 

Delaware State University, Dover, DE

Assistant Professor

Director of Forensic Biology

Department of Biological Sciences  

August 2016-December 2018 

University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada

Dissertation: Using an ecological framework to resolve issues in forensic entomology:  exploring temperature mediation of species interactions within blow fly (Diptera:  Calliphoridae) communities 

Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA 

Thesis: Insect signature indicating corpse movement from urban to rural areas of  northeast Ohio 

William Smith College, Geneva, NY, USA 

Conducted training in forensic entomology for coroners at the Ohio State Coroners Association. 

Cincinnati, OH

Presented to law enforcement and investigators in Forensic Entomology Training Workshop.

 Arizona State University

Lake County Sheriff’s Department and K9 Unit

Conducted training in forensic entomology, decomposition and evidence collection. 

West Lafayette, IN. 

Conducted training in forensic entomology for newly elected coroners at the Illinois Coroner Mandatory Training. 

Decatur, IL.

Forensic Entomology Analysis. Insect evidence collection, insect identification, evidence  interpretation, time of colonization estimation, report preparation. Agencies across Indiana and  surrounding states.

Conducted a workshop in forensic entomology for Evidence Technicians of PUPD. Presented lectures, demonstrated procedures and  techniques, conducted exercises in collection and processing of insect evidence. 

West Lafayette, IN.

Conducted a two-day workshop on forensic entomology for detectives and investigators as part of the course “Forensic Aspects of Death.”  Presented lectures, demonstrated procedures and techniques, conducted exercises in collection  and processing of insect evidence. Held at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy main  campus. 

London, OH. 

Hosted a workshop on forensic entomology, which included  demonstrating and assisting in proper insect evidence collection from pig carcasses, University of  Windsor.

 Windsor, ON, Canada. 

Assisted in collection and processing of insect evidence pertaining to criminal investigations from a variety of police agencies across the province. Supervisor: Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven 

Assisted in collection and processing of insect evidence  pertaining to criminal investigations. 2013. Supervisor: Dr. Joe Keiper.

Workshop on forensic entomology provided for forensic pathologists. Assisted in set-up and exercises. Supervisor: Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven. 

Assisted in collection and processing of insect evidence pertaining to  criminal investigations. Supervisor: Dr. Joe Keiper 

Workshop on forensic entomology including lectures and  hands on activities. Presented lectures, assisted in set-up and exercises, demonstrated sampling procedures. Supervisor: Dr. Joe Keiper. 

Workshop on forensic entomology including lectures and hands on  activities. Assisted in set-up and exercises. Held at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy  satellite campus, Richfield, OH. Supervisor: Dr. Joe Keiper. 

Bagsby, K., Byrd, J., Stern, A. and K.R. Hans. 2024. Initial blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) colonization of cats (Felis catus) in Indiana. Journal of Medical Entomology, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad170

Bagsby, K. and K. R. Hans. 2024. Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a primary colonizer of domestic cats (Felis catus). Insects 15,32.

https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010032

Jeong, Y., Weidner, L.M., Pergande, S., Gemmellaro, D., Jennings, D.E. and K.R. Hans. 2022. Biodiversity of forensically relevant blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at the Anthropology Research Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Insects 13(109),  https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020109 

Weidner, L.M., Byrd, J., Sutton, L. and K.R. Hans. Forensic Entomology: An introduction to the literature of the United States. WIRES Forensic Science, 3(5), e1435. https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1435

Weidner, L., Meeds, A., Noblesse, A. and K.R. Hans. A review of forensic entomology literature in the Southwestern United States. WIRES Forensic Science, 3(5), e1421. https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1421

Hans, K.R. and S.L. VanLaerhoven. 2021. The impact of comingled heterospecific assemblages on developmentally-based estimates of the post-mortem interval- a study with Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Phormia regina (Meigen) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Insects 12(4), 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040280

Parrotta, K., Bergquist, A. and K.R. Hans. Student perspectives on trauma-informed education practices in criminal justice and forensic science. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2021.1958885

Hans, K.R., Yoho, K., Parrott, J.J., and L.M. Weidner. A review of the forensic entomology literature in the Mountain Prairie region of the United States. WIRES Forensic Science, 3(5), e1412. https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1412

Hans, K.R., Yoho, K., Robbins, H., and L.M. Weidner. A review of forensic entomology literature in the Midwestern United States. WIRES Forensic Science, 3(5), e1424. https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1424

Weidner, L.M., Nigoghosian, G., Yoho, K.C., Parrott, J.J. and K.R. Hans. 2020. An analysis of forensically important insects associated with human remains in Indiana, U.S.A. Journal of Forensic Sciences 65(6), doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14531

Weidner, L.M. and K.R. Hans. A review of forensic entomology literature in the Northeastern United States. WIRES Forensic Science, 3(5), e1402. https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1402

Hans, K.R. and K. Parrotta. 2021. "'The Errors are Egregious': Assessing the CSI Effect and Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of Forensic Science through a Pre- and Post-Test Investigation." in Mass Mediated Representations of Crime and Criminality. Vol. 23, Studies in Media and Communications, edited by J.B. Wiest. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing.

Hans, K.R. and T. Stamper. Forensic entomology: Use of insects in taphonomic studies. Accepted into Haglund and Sorg’s Forensic Taphonomy: 21st Century Advances and Regional Variation, edited by Marcella H. Sorg and William D. Haglund. 

McFadden, K. and K.R. Hans. 2019. Foraging behavior of female blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) based on visual cues. Instars: Journal of Undergraduate Research, volume 5.

Hans, K.R. and K. Parrotta. 2019. Building trust and legitimacy between police and students through experiential learning: forensic science and investigation day. Community Policing Dispatch 12(2).

Hans, K.R., R. LeBouthillier, S.L. VanLaerhoven. 2018. Effect of temperature on oviposition behavior and egg load of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Medical Entomology 56: 441-447 doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy173.

Pacheco, V.A., K.R. Hans and S.L. VanLaerhoven. 2017. The relationship between surface area and volume of common blow fly oviposition sites and carrion body mass. Journal of Medical Entomology 54: 1278-1284 doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx108.