Kimberly Lane Tabor Kreitlow has extensive experience in entomology, including as an expert witness providing entomological evidence for civil and criminal cases. She has a Ph.D. in Entomology from Virginia Tech and has held positions as an adjunct professor at NC State, researcher, and entomologist for the NC Department of Agriculture. She has published several peer-reviewed papers on topics including forensic entomology and honey bee behavior.
1. Phone: (919) 605-5978
Email: kltabor@ncsu.edu
Kimberly Lane Tabor Kreitlow
Education Ph. D. Entomology Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
• Outstanding Recent Alumna for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Outstanding Recent Alumna for the Department of Entomology
• Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• James M. Grayson Award
• P.E.O. Scholar Award
• Kosztarab Scholarship in Systematic Entomology
M.S. Entomology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
B. S. Zoology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
B. A. Communication North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
Experience
May 2005 – present: Expert Witness. Provide expertise for periodic civil and criminal casework involving entomological
evidence.
October 2010-present: Adjunct Assistant Professor of Entomology, North Carolina State University. Course development
in forensic entomology for lecture-based course; Served on graduate student committee; contributing editor for the Journal of
Medical Entomology.
Spring 2008-Spring 2011: Instructor, North Carolina State University. Forensic Entomology. Teaching objectives include a
description of the science of entomology relative to its use in criminal investigations and utility to forensic science, the methods
for the identification of insects of forensic importance, the methods and procedures for recovering entomological evidence from a
crime scene, and analysis of case information involving entomological evidence.
September 2006- October 2010: Entomological Program Specialist, North Carolina Department of Agriculture &
Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) Plant Industry Division. Staff Entomologist for the state of North Carolina; Provide
technical and scientific support for state-wide entomological programs, including the design, development, and evaluation of
programs which focus on plant pest exclusion and quarantines, pest detection & survey, inspection, identification, eradication,
public information & education.
April 2006-September 2006: Post-doctoral Research Scientist, Bayer Environmental Sciences (through Belcan Services).
Conducted greenhouse and field research on the efficacy and phytotoxicity of various pesticides and plant growth regulators;
analyzed and interpreted data with statistical analysis; wrote and presented reports.
March 2005 – December 2005: Researcher, Department of Entomology, NCSU. Lead researcher on field studies of the
foraging effort of Italian vs. Russian honey bees; assisted with data collection and analysis of honey bee mite resistance in Italian
and Russian honey bees; assisted with colony management and extension activities.
May 2005 – Sept 2006: Independent contractor for Museum of Natural Sciences. Developed forensic entomological
collection for display at museum; developed and presented forensic entomological educational material for display at annual
museum event.
May 2004 – July 2004: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Entomology, Va Tech. Designed and conducted studies on
the effect of antemortem ingestion of ethanol on development of blow fly larvae in the laboratory.
Volunteer lab assistant, Plant Pathology and Physiology, Va Tech. April 2003 – March 2004. Performed various molecular
laboratory procedures, including genomic DNA extraction, PCR on molecular and plasmid DNA, and tobacco plant tissue culture
using sterile technique as part of investigation on the development of a plague vaccine from transgenic tobacco plants (6 hours/
week).
Aug. 2000-May 2004: Graduate teaching assistant, Department of Entomology, Va Tech. See “Teaching Experience” for a
list of courses taught.
May 2002-Aug. 2002. Gradate research assistant, Department of Entomology, Va Tech. Conducted feeding preference
studies on the odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile; collected and maintained ant colonies.
2. Jan. 1997-July 2000: Graduate research assistant, Department of Entomology, NCSU. Designed, conducted, and analyzed
studies on the non-pesticide treatment of a honey bee mite; assisted in non-thesis, honey bee related research; functioned as an
extension liaison between NCSU Department of Entomology and the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Oct. 1995- Jan. 1997: Laboratory Corporation of America- Forensic Identity Testing. Interfaced with and assisted law
enforcement agencies regarding specimen submission; sized autoradiographs for R.F.L.P. DNA analysis; prepared blood
specimens for DNA database of convicted criminals.
Other Professional Skills and Experience
• Completed course Research and Information Systems in the Life Sciences, which included instruction in teaching
distance education, teaching and the art of learning, web development, information technology and science, and others
• Developed and presented over 50 scientific presentations, short courses, and workshops to a variety of scientific and
public groups in academia, law enforcement, local and state beekeepers’ groups and the general public
• Developed and presented over 35 outreach programs on a variety of entomological and biological topics for community
schools, museums, and charity events from 1997-2004.
• Proficient in editing, journalism, and mass media (television and radio)
• Superior interpersonal communication and public speaking skills
Peer Reviewed Publications
• Cammack, J.A., Cohen, A.C., Kreitlow, K.L., Roe, R.M., and Watson, D.W. Decomposition of concealed and exposed
porcine remains in the North Carolina Piedmont. Journal of Medical Entomology. In review.
• Wilson, J.M., Lafon, N.W., Kreitlow, K.L., Brewster, C.C., and Fell, R.D. Comparing Growth of Pork- and Venison-
Reared Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) for the Application of Forensic Entomology. 2014. Journal of Medical
Entomology. 51(5): 1067-1072.
• Kreitlow, KLT. 2009. Insect Succession in a Natural Environment. In, Forensic Entomology: The Utility of
Arthropods in Legal Investiagions, 2nd
edition. Byrd, JH and Castner, JL, eds. Pp.251-269.
• Kreitlow, K. Lane, and Tarpy, David R. Environmental and genotypic effects on Russian-hybrid and Italian honey bee
(Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foraging behavior. Environmental Entomology. 35(6): 1610 – 1616.
• Tabor, K.L., Fell, R.D., Brewster, C.C., Pelzer, K., and Behonick, G. 2005. Effects of antemortem ingestion of ethanol
on insect successional patterns and development of Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of
Medical Entomology. 42(3): 481-489.
• Tabor, K.L., Brewster, C.C., Fell, R.D. 2005. Insect fauna visiting carrion in Southwest Virginia. Forensic Science
International. 150(1): 73-80.
• Tabor, K.L., Brewster, C.C., and Fell, R.D. 2004. Characterization and analysis of the successional patterns of carrion
insects in southwest Virginia. Journal of Medical Entomology. 41(4): 785-794.
• Broeckling, C.D., McClanan, M.E., Satterlee, S.M., and Tabor, K.L. 2003. Resistance management protocols for
genetically modified crops are not adequate. In, Current Issues Surrounding the Utilization of Genetically Modified
Organisms: A Student Debate. American Entomologist.
• Tabor, K.L. and Ambrose, J.T. 2001. The use of heat for control of the honey bee mite, Varroa destructor. American
Bee Journal. 141 (10): 733-736.
International Experience
• Faculty Advisor, International Scholar Laureate Program’s Delegation on the Environment in Brazil. May-Jun 2005.
Lead group of 34 university scholars through two-week experiential program on environmental issues/education in
Brazil.
• Peer Mentor for a month-long course in southern Africa on the culture and biology of South Africa and Swaziland. May
2003.
Special Training
• Basic Recombinant DNA Techniques. Training certification.
• Covert Burial: Advanced Bugs, Bones, and Botany. Comprehensive classroom and field training on collection of
forensic entomological, botanical and anthropological crime scene evidence
• Buried Bodies Workshop. Special field training for recovery of buried corpses.
