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989 Questions

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

When making a identity from a fire do you make it by random teeth found or teeth in jaw bone? Or how do you determine that?

Asked by Cybill over 7 years ago

Hi Cybill, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I believe that they can use the inside of a tooth for DNA analysis, but of course if the tooth is loose they may not be able to determine which body it came from if there's more than one. I expect a dentist would need the teeth still in the jaw to compare with dental x-rays in order to make a comparison that way, but it may all depend on what work, if any, has been done to the tooth and how distinctive that work is. I'm not a DNA analyst (any more) or a dentist so I'm not 100% sure.

647 Votes

My son died recently and his keys were in his pocket. They gave me back the keys and wallet in a baggie and I need to clean them. I don't want to open the bag without knowing the best way to do it without the smell and such being overwhelming?

Asked by lmc over 7 years ago

I’m so sorry for your loss. My advice would be to use rubber gloves and take the items to a porch or some dry outside spot if it’s not going to rain for a while, or the garage or utility room if so. If you’re sensitive to smells you might use swimmers nose plugs or a bandana tied over your face. Spread the items out on a clean paper bag or newspaper (or wax paper if there’s some pieces of paper in his wallet you want to keep. Anything that can be wet, like car keys or plastic cards, dip or wash them in a container of water with some bleach in it, then let dry. Let all the stuff in the wallet dry if necessary, then keep what you want and discard the rest. Some of the smell will dissipate the longer its left to dry but if it’s something that can’t be soaked in bleach, you may never get a smell completely out, as far as I know. Best of luck.

645 Votes

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

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There weren't any samples they just briefed us through. I think changing a question would be better. How is natural science used to establish forensic science?

Asked by Junz over 7 years ago

I'm sorry, but again that is way too broad a question. Most forensic science is based on biology, physics and chemistry, so it's all 'natural' science.

644 Votes

On a lot of TV shows, it's often said that water washed away dna evidence (ejaculate). Is it not possible for some to be left deep inside vagina? (Assuming there is ejaculate). Isn't it like taking a bath; water can't really get into vagina?

Asked by Leandra over 7 years ago

Sorry, but I really don't know. You'd have to ask a pathologist. I imagine it might depend on how long after death the person was in the water.

644 Votes

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Is it feasible for forensic scientist to work only on the chemistry side of forensics? I enjoy chemistry, but dislike biology, and dislike the idea of working on bodily fluids. Would a forensic CHEMIST still analysis biological fluid?

Asked by Samarkand over 7 years ago

Many forensic chemistry departments only analyze possible drugs, so I would think it would be possible to find.

644 Votes

A criminal stabbed to death two victims and then inflicted wounds upon themselves The killer's shirt was covered in blood. Is it possible to determine that one victims blood was on top of another persons blood? Can they tell who was stabbed 1st or 2

Asked by Chunky Monkey over 7 years ago

As far as I know, no. The DNA tests of the shirt will just show a mixture of the victims, so that the analyst would only be able to say the blood could have come from these two or three people--in other words there are no alleles that definitely couldn't have come from those three. But because it is a mixture, they can't say it did come from these three exact people. And they couldn't tell, again as far as I know, which blood was deposited first.

643 Votes

I just recently graduated from high school with some studies, since sophomore year, in Chemistry, Biology and I've read a bit of Psychology as well. Would you happen to think that'd be enough to get a career in forensics, here in the LA county?

Asked by J_Ven0406 over 7 years ago

The people to ask would be the people hiring forensics personnel in LA county. All agencies (the police department, the sheriff's office, the medical examiner's office) should all have websites that post current job openings. If they don't have any current postings, then you can always call them and ask. That's the only way to know for sure. Best of luck!

641 Votes

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Forensic Scientist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

When making a identity from a fire do you make it by random teeth found or teeth in jaw bone? Or how do you determine that?

My son died recently and his keys were in his pocket. They gave me back the keys and wallet in a baggie and I need to clean them. I don't want to open the bag without knowing the best way to do it without the smell and such being overwhelming?

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

There weren't any samples they just briefed us through. I think changing a question would be better. How is natural science used to establish forensic science?

On a lot of TV shows, it's often said that water washed away dna evidence (ejaculate). Is it not possible for some to be left deep inside vagina? (Assuming there is ejaculate). Isn't it like taking a bath; water can't really get into vagina?

Also on Jobstr...

Is it feasible for forensic scientist to work only on the chemistry side of forensics? I enjoy chemistry, but dislike biology, and dislike the idea of working on bodily fluids. Would a forensic CHEMIST still analysis biological fluid?

A criminal stabbed to death two victims and then inflicted wounds upon themselves The killer's shirt was covered in blood. Is it possible to determine that one victims blood was on top of another persons blood? Can they tell who was stabbed 1st or 2

I just recently graduated from high school with some studies, since sophomore year, in Chemistry, Biology and I've read a bit of Psychology as well. Would you happen to think that'd be enough to get a career in forensics, here in the LA county?

Forensic Scientist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

When making a identity from a fire do you make it by random teeth found or teeth in jaw bone? Or how do you determine that?

My son died recently and his keys were in his pocket. They gave me back the keys and wallet in a baggie and I need to clean them. I don't want to open the bag without knowing the best way to do it without the smell and such being overwhelming?

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

There weren't any samples they just briefed us through. I think changing a question would be better. How is natural science used to establish forensic science?

On a lot of TV shows, it's often said that water washed away dna evidence (ejaculate). Is it not possible for some to be left deep inside vagina? (Assuming there is ejaculate). Isn't it like taking a bath; water can't really get into vagina?

Also on Jobstr...

Is it feasible for forensic scientist to work only on the chemistry side of forensics? I enjoy chemistry, but dislike biology, and dislike the idea of working on bodily fluids. Would a forensic CHEMIST still analysis biological fluid?

A criminal stabbed to death two victims and then inflicted wounds upon themselves The killer's shirt was covered in blood. Is it possible to determine that one victims blood was on top of another persons blood? Can they tell who was stabbed 1st or 2

I just recently graduated from high school with some studies, since sophomore year, in Chemistry, Biology and I've read a bit of Psychology as well. Would you happen to think that'd be enough to get a career in forensics, here in the LA county?

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