Michelle Louise Harvey (born in Brisbane) is an Australian forensic scientist specialising in forensic entomology (use of insects in the investigation of crimes). [1] [2] Her research uses insect DNA to identify maggots, which helps in estimating the time since death. [2] [3] [4] Harvey has published widely on her research and been a guest speaker at many conferences. She is active in the promotion of science through public speaking engagements and the media.
Harvey completed her PhD / Master of Forensic Science degree in 2006 at the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and graduated in March 2007. [5] From 2006 to 2012 she was a senior lecturer in forensic biology at the University of Portsmouth, [1] [2] researching molecular relationships between forensically important Calliphoridae. [5] She has since returned to Australia to continue her research at Deakin University, Geelong. [6]