Ask a Forensic Scientist anything

989 Questions

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

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

Asked by Rae about 4 years ago

No, we have lots of paperwork. Lots.

Is that possible with in 25 day. I mean decay process.

Asked by Kalyan reddy about 4 years ago

I’m not a pathologist, so I really wouldn’t know for sure, but I know decomposition can vary wildly depending on circumstances—whether the body is exposed or contained or wrapped; temperature and humidity are majorly important; and predators, insects, water, shade vs sun, all can affect matters. My best guess is yes, it’s possible.

232 Votes

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

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What work do you do on a daily basis?

Asked by Janessa Dillon almost 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!

230 Votes

Is being a Forensic Scientist more of just a job, a career, or is it a lifestyle?

Asked by Mikey about 4 years ago

I think you could ask that about any job. It all depends on the person doing it; if it's only a way to get a paycheck, then it's just a job. If it's all they want to do, it's a career. If it occupies a lot of their personal time, it's a lifestyle. But forensic science can be demanding and most of all, unpredictable, so most people wouldn't do it just as a 'job.'Hope that helps!

229 Votes

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Hello! I have a friend that wants to be a Forensic Scientist! He recently graduated high school and is transitioning to college. Is there any summer jobs/ internships you would recommend for him that can increase his exposure to the field?

Asked by Carter about 4 years ago

I don’t believe there would be any summer jobs at a police department or crime lab, and internships are usually given to students who are college juniors or seniors. Though they should check with the police department, there might be volunteer or Explorer programs. Otherwise any job that involves lab work might help—not just hospitals but food or water testing sites.

Best of luck to them!

229 Votes

Hello Lisa, what is the dumbest case you ever worked?

Asked by Steven over 3 years ago

Nothing's really 'dumb' since every case involves, a minimum, property loss or inconvenience. Criminals can be dumb...the best example I can think of was when a bunch of boys broke the glass in a door to get into a jewelry store, couldn't find much to take, then were hightailing it out of there as the alarm rang and one was trying to climb back out the broken window and not having much luck when his buddy barreled through the other door simply by pushing the push bar on it. The video was hilarious.

225 Votes

What do you think is the minimum age for becoming a Forensic Scientist? Since it’s not (mostly) a sworn position can someone under 21 become one? What about under 18?

Asked by Samuel about 4 years ago

That entirely depends on the requirements of the hiring agency. Since they’d probably require advanced schooling so hirees would wind up being older. It also might have to do with liability if the person would need to drive agency vehicles, etc.

224 Votes