Ask a Forensic Scientist anything

988 Questions

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

At a crime scene, how long do prints last if not disturbed?

Asked by Kevin over 10 years ago

That depends a great deal on temperature and humidity. Assuming it's a good print in the first place, plenty of sweat and oils on the skin and a nice non-porous surface like glass or marble--then if the temperature is a bit on the coolish side with a little bit of humidity but not too much and above all steady, then the print can last for years.

873 Votes

If someone was murdered and the body left exposed to the elements for a three or four days then buried it, how would the body appear if dug up a week or so later? Bloated? Would the insect larvae be alive? Is it easy to tell what happened?

Asked by steve almost 11 years ago

Sorry--I posted an answer to this but somehow it's not here now so...I'll answer again. This is really a question for a pathologist. I can tell you that there is a huge difference between bodies that are exposed and bodies or even parts of bodies that are not, so the pathogist may be able to tell that it was exposed first. Whether larvae would still be alive probably depends on temperature and how deeply the body had been buried.

865 Votes

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

Check our Jobstr's career page for salary information, educational requirements, suggested reading and more!

if I have trouble writing and reading can I stile be a forensic scientists.

Asked by john almost 11 years ago

See above answer.

862 Votes

If a victim was hit by someone wearing a ring could the letters on the ring leave behind a mark in the bone? (A legible one)

Asked by Jay A over 10 years ago

You'd really have to ask a pathologist or osteopath but I would very much doubt it--even at points where the bone is close to the skin (like the back of the hand) the skin would still provide too much cushioning. It would leave a bruise in the shape of the ring but probably not clear enough to be legible.

861 Votes

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Do you have a graduate degree? Is it true that nobody hires Ph.Ds for forensic positions? Have you met or dealt with forensic chemists?

Asked by Lindsey over 10 years ago

No, I have a BS in Biology, though one of my co-workers has a Master's in Forensic Science. PhDs are often hired for DNA work but yes, probably not for the average forensic position just because they would probably want a higher salary.

And yes, I knew a number of forensic chemists at the coroner's office because they would analyze the blood, urine and gastric on all deceased. They had BS's in chemistry. I don't know if they have forensic chemistry majors now, but they didn't then. At other labs chemists do all the drug testing on suspected substances.

Hope that helps!

861 Votes

I was thinking about doing a course on sciences and forensics but just wondered what that would entail? If you know, could you tell me please?

Asked by Lauren over 10 years ago

It depends on what the course is about, and the syllabus or course handbook should give a good description. I'm sure the teacher or professor is available for you to ask for more details. Good luck!

842 Votes

Hello, I was just wondering for my future, if I were to be married to a man in the military would that hurt my chances of getting a job as a forensic scientist? Or would i be able to transfer to a different place?

Asked by Halie almost 11 years ago

I don't think it would hurt your chances as a forensic scientist any more than it would hurt your chances in any other profession, if a potential employer would be concerned that you might leave in a couple years. Almost all agencies are singular--I mean my city police department is just my city, and the state police is just our state--so there couldn't really be 'transfers' from one agency to another. It might be possible at a federal agency like the FBI, but that would be for agents--their forensic personnel are all contained in one or two places, so far as I know. Your best bet would be to talk to people who have the specific job you want, and ask them.

841 Votes

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Forensic Scientist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

At a crime scene, how long do prints last if not disturbed?

If someone was murdered and the body left exposed to the elements for a three or four days then buried it, how would the body appear if dug up a week or so later? Bloated? Would the insect larvae be alive? Is it easy to tell what happened?

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

if I have trouble writing and reading can I stile be a forensic scientists.

If a victim was hit by someone wearing a ring could the letters on the ring leave behind a mark in the bone? (A legible one)

Also on Jobstr...

Do you have a graduate degree? Is it true that nobody hires Ph.Ds for forensic positions? Have you met or dealt with forensic chemists?

I was thinking about doing a course on sciences and forensics but just wondered what that would entail? If you know, could you tell me please?

Hello, I was just wondering for my future, if I were to be married to a man in the military would that hurt my chances of getting a job as a forensic scientist? Or would i be able to transfer to a different place?

Forensic Scientist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

At a crime scene, how long do prints last if not disturbed?

If someone was murdered and the body left exposed to the elements for a three or four days then buried it, how would the body appear if dug up a week or so later? Bloated? Would the insect larvae be alive? Is it easy to tell what happened?

So you wanna be a Forensic Scientist?

if I have trouble writing and reading can I stile be a forensic scientists.

If a victim was hit by someone wearing a ring could the letters on the ring leave behind a mark in the bone? (A legible one)

Also on Jobstr...

Do you have a graduate degree? Is it true that nobody hires Ph.Ds for forensic positions? Have you met or dealt with forensic chemists?

I was thinking about doing a course on sciences and forensics but just wondered what that would entail? If you know, could you tell me please?

Hello, I was just wondering for my future, if I were to be married to a man in the military would that hurt my chances of getting a job as a forensic scientist? Or would i be able to transfer to a different place?

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