Ask a Forensic Scientist anything

989 Questions

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

I am complaining about a civil attorney. He was supposed to send me some photographs. He sent an envelope, said the photographs are enclosed, but they were not. He claims he sent them, and I lost them. Can the envelope be examined for residue?

Asked by Tom over 7 years ago

Almost certainly, no. Unlike television, real forensic equipment is designed to test for certain things. For example the mass spectrometer in the toxicology department is set to test for illegal narcotics and not heavy metals such as arsenic. If arsenic is suspected, it could be detected with a different instrument or different parameters programmed into the same instrument. So I doubt there is any equipment that could be set up to detect microscopic amounts of photographic chemicals, if a photo would even shed any.

707 Votes

What is the regular intern day/night shift?

Asked by Crime Scene Investigator over 7 years ago

We don't have a set schedule for interns. They'll come in on weekdays, but other than that we work with their school/work schedule.

707 Votes

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If you were looking to find the amounts of lead in paints, would it be better to analyze liquid paint or paint chips?

Asked by NJ210 over 7 years ago

I used to analyze dried paint with an FTIR, which I believe would detect lead, but as to what would be better I really don’t know. Sorry I can’t be more help.

707 Votes

What does forensic science mean to you?

Asked by Caroline almost 7 years ago

For homework interview questions, please email me at lisa-black@live.com.

707 Votes

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Can a body be in water and not have rigamortis?

Asked by Amanda Marsh over 7 years ago

As far as I know, water doesn’t change the process of rigor mortis. The temperature of the water may speed it up or slow it down, but the process would still occur.

706 Votes

Where you ever shocked by a crime scene?

Asked by Denise_ot5 over 7 years ago

They’re all shocking, in their way, But there hasn’t been one in particular that bowled me over.

706 Votes

if a person licks their fingers in order to aid them in counting money, counts the money and hands ti to another individual who places that money in their bra. Can there be saliva dna transfer to the breast?

Asked by angie about 7 years ago

I suppose that’s theoretically possible, but I wouldn’t think it likely. The saliva would sink into the paper of the money quickly, and then when swabbing the person’s skin you’d have to happen on the exact spot where that tiny bit of saliva transferred to.

I hope that helps!

706 Votes