Forensic Scientist

When you started work in forensics did your job train you or were you having to rely on what you learned in college?

Asked by jsk789 over 5 years ago

They didn’t have forensics degrees when I went to school, so learned all the forensic tasks were on the job or continuing education courses. But the science background helps with understanding lab procedures, preparing reagents, and of course explaining what’s going on during the various processes.

Haha what if some of your old co workers see your post LAMO that’s too funny

Asked by Mike almost 6 years ago

I would like to know if an autopsy conducted on a woman buried in dry soil for three years
could determine if she had an abortion, being the cause of her death.
Thank you
Karen

Asked by karen_west@bigpond.com over 4 years ago

That’s a good question…I know that the human body will either decompose or desiccate, so if the conditions were right and she dried out instead of breaking down, then the body might be largely preserved. But what could be determined from an autopsy would be a question for a pathologist, I’m afraid. Sorry I’m not more help.

What level math do you actually need and use?

Asked by Elizabeth G. over 5 years ago

It depends on what you want to do. I've always used only basic addition, division etc., for calculating reagents. Accident reconstruction would probably require a bit more and maybe DNA analysis, but I don't really know. Best of luck!

I mean a sworn police officer sorry for not being specific

Asked by Terry over 5 years ago

As far as the job is concerned, I would think the odds of getting the job would be the same, but there are other considerations. The pay and benefits are different (at least at my agency) between sworn and civilian because they’re different unions. A sworn officer would be taking less pay and benefits to be non-sworn so the hiring party might wonder why, or worry that they would get tired of it and want to leave.

I want to be a forensic scientist, but I wanted to know do you need to carry a gun

Asked by Anna almost 6 years ago

Some law enforcement agencies still require their forensic staff to be sworn police officers as well, but most have civilian staff for the forensic support. I have always been a civilian and therefore cannot carry a gun.

Should we be able to use torture on suspects during interrogations?!

Asked by Dan over 5 years ago

How does that question relate to forensics?