Ask a Forensic Scientist anything

989 Questions

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

How has forensic equipment changed and developed over the time of your career?

Asked by Christina Phokou about 5 years ago

Departments have access to larger (county, state, sometimes federal) fingerprint databases, though it's still not like you see on TV. DNA analysts can now obtain a profile from 'touch DNA', someone simply touching an object. And video surveillance systems have become commonplace but also much easier to use with better clarity.

418 Votes

What are the top 10 most fun/ interesting facts about your job?

Asked by Miki23 over 5 years ago

Wow, that’s a tough question! I’m not sure I could come up with ten.

417 Votes

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

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So do you pretty much get to do all the fun stuff without as much paper work?

Asked by Rae about 5 years ago

No, we have lots of paperwork. Lots.

416 Votes

Also, is it possible to specifically detect that the DNA is from saliva and nothing else?

Asked by AJ over 5 years ago

I don't believe so, but I haven't done DNA analysis in 20 years so I'm not the best person to ask. I know there's an amylase test for saliva, but I don't know if it's used any more. And if you have a mixture I doubt it would be possible to tell what DNA is from what bodily fluid.

416 Votes

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Have you ever done a autopsy on a animaln

Asked by Ryan over 5 years ago

I haven’t ever done an autopsy at all, since I’m not a pathologist. They can be done on animals, usually it’s called a necropsy and may be done by a veterinarian.

416 Votes

What work do you do on a daily basis?

Asked by Janessa Dillon over 4 years ago

At my department I mostly work with fingerprints, analyzing and comparing fingerprints that I collect off pieces of evidence or pick up at crime scenes or ones that the officers submit after they collect them at crime scenes. I will also go to crime scenes, photograph, collect prints, items of evidence, maybe test for blood or collect samples of blood with sterile swabs. There’s also a lot of time spent writing up all this information in our reports and other paperwork. If I worked in DNA or ballistics or toxicology, I would probably spend all day in the lab doing those types of analysis. So it depends on where you work, what services they provide, and what your exact position is. I hope that helps!

415 Votes