Angela Hatcher from WSLS 10 is reporting:

More than 100 days passed from the last time Morgan Harrington was seen alive, to when her skeletal remains were found. While it may seem investigators don’t have much to work with, a forensic science expert weighs in on what could help lead to a suspect.

“From a little piece of bone, you can find a suspect.“, says Dr. Tod Burke. Burke is a forensic science expert at Radford University. He is not associated with the Harrington case.

“Anytime you have remains, that’s of forensic value.“, says Burke. “Sure it would be ideal for an investigator to just approach the scene and have a fresh body.“

Burke says a suspect might assume a remote location, like where Morgan’s remains were found, would guarantee a body would never be found. He says the location, however, could work to the suspect’s disadvantage.

“It’s not heavily traveled. So you don’t have a lot of people coming and going.“, says Burke. “Whereas if a body were dumped in a suburban or city area where you have a lot of movement, the chances of being seen are greater but the forensic value may be contaminated.“

The massive snow, that likely covered the remains and delayed searches for Morgan, could preserve a body. Warmer temperatures could speed up decomposition.

“There was hot weather, there was warm weather, there was cold weather all could play a role in body decomposition.“, says Burke.

Burke says animals can contaminate a crime scene, but could also help in an investigation. He says that’s because animals can carry pieces of evidence from remote locations, to places where someone will find them.

Burke says don’t discount the possibility of DNA evidence, especially on any clothing Morgan was still wearing when she was found.

He’s confident whether it’s days from now, or years, we will find out what happened to Morgan.

“The forensic evidence is there.“ says Burke. “A suspect is there.“