What's a 'snarge expert'? And why does it matter to aviation?
On NPR this evening, heard an interview with a Ms Dove, who described herself as a 'snarge expert'.
She will be involved in the investigation into the cause of the USAirways water landing.
What will Ms Dove be doing? She'll be examining traces of 'snarge', which she described as 'bird goop' and feathers that are the splattered result of birds colliding with planes. She works for the Smithsonian, and will receive and examine any 'bird traces' left on the USAirways aircraft. Ms Dove said that her research--and identification of birds from traces found on planes, can help to find causes of problems, but also alert airports and airlines of bird migrations etc than might cause problems. When we hear an official cause of engine failure for the USAirways flight, you can thank Ms Dove for her 'snarge' expertese.

I would think any traces of "bird goop" would've been washed away by the water by now.

Feathers must get jammed in the shreded metal. My thought is that evidence is never distroyed so never even think about committing a crime. If there is blood (e.g. after a stabbing or struggle), you will never be able to get rid of it. So live an honest life!

The Smithsonian's snarge experts have been around for a while.

"How do you explain to the FAA that we had a rabbit strike at 1,800 feet?"