/r/forensics

Photograph via snooOG

Welcome! This is a place to talk about forensic science: ethics, education, employment, techniques, articles, and news.

This community is home to verified forensic science professionals and students who are passionate about their work. They are great with helping current professionals, aspiring professionals, current students, aspiring students, authors, and those who have questions or would like to talk about forensic science.

Definition

forensic

adjective | fo·ren·sic | \fə-ˈren(t)-sik, -ˈren-zik\

1: belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate

2: argumentative, rhetorical

3: relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems

About

  • Forensics is a catch-all term meant to include scientists and professionals who apply their skills and expertise in matters of law. This is not only a science subreddit. All disciplines and sub-disciplines are welcome here.

  • We cannot solve your real-life crimes. Please be advised that we will offer opinions and lend our expertise as an exercise only.

Rules

  • Full explanations can be found here. Please read them before you post.

User Flair and Verification

  • You can find our flair policy and verification system on the flair wiki page here.

Education Resources

  • Our wiki is constantly being updated to offer the best advice for you.
  • Feel free to ask questions in a self-post, however.
  • Take a look at these links for definitions, requirements, and links to professional organizations:
  • American Board of Criminalistics
  • International Association for Identification (IAI)
  • Employment Resources

    • Our wiki is still the place to start!

    • Job Resources from our wiki
    • Feel free to ask questions in a self-post.
  • Job Openings

  • Take a look at these links for definitions, requirements, and links to professional organizations:

  • American Board of Criminalistics
  • International Association for Identification (IAI)
  • Encouraged Topics

    • News and articles about techniques, scientists, research, and/or current events

    • Discussion about old and new issues in a given field

    • Questions about career/education paths

    • Assistance requests from other professionals

    Discouraged Topics

    • These are incorporated in our rules.

    • Discouraged topics are subject to removal

    • Advice on getting away with a crime
    • Solicitation of legal advice
    • Requests to identify bones/remains

    Forensic Subreddits

    Science Subreddits

    Have A Real-Life Crime?

    • If you have photo or video evidence, and you'd like help, try posting to /r/RBI
    • Also consider /r/legaladvice if you are more than a complainant/victim
    • Make sure you read each subreddit's rules before posting

    Forensic Science Journals

    /r/forensics

    51,487 Subscribers

    2

    ATF Forensic Science Internship

    Hello! I am currently a junior forensic science and chemistry double major and applied for the ATF forensic science internship. I plan on specializing in explosives as that is what my capstone research is on. I just wanted to ask if anyone has done the internship before, and if you have did you like it? Also I know I should hear by the end of the month, but any idea what time that I should hear around? I think I'm just nervous because I really want this, and I like to know as much as possible. But if you have done it lmk! I would love to get as much info as possible! Thanks!

    2 Comments
    2024/12/02
    00:20 UTC

    5

    Internship advice (coroner’s office)

    I’m starting an internship with a coroner’s office in January. I was wondering if anyone had advice for what it’s like and more specifically, what clothes/shoes to wear. The office is business casual and morgue is scrubs but what about shoes or clothes and shoes for attending death scenes or being in the field? Thank you!

    9 Comments
    2024/12/01
    21:04 UTC

    3

    Career and Univeristy advice!

    So I'm a graduating student in Canada, and got accepted into a school pretty close to home that I would like to go to. I plan on doing a bachelors Biochemistry and then getting a Masters/PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology. I would like to do forensics work when I'm older, would these qualifications be enough? Or would I have to take a bachelors centred around forensics? I would've definitely done one if I could, but all the schools that offer forensic sciences are out of our price range and are a long ways away. What could help me secure a job as a forensicist?

    1 Comment
    2024/12/01
    16:59 UTC

    7

    Forensic Scientist Guest Speaker Interest for Middle School Students

    Hey lovely people! Do you LOVE (or even moderately LIKE) YOUR JOB?

    One of my goals as an educator this year is to provide opportunities for my students to interact with “real scientists” related to what we are learning about in class. I am looking to put together a panel of forensic scientists for my 7th graders who are currently learning about forensic science/DNA in science class and the justice system/exonerations/social justice etc. while reading Just Mercy in English class. The panel would be no longer than 45-60 minutes and would involve you sharing why/how you got into the field (and anything else about your story that you’d care to share!), any insights into your work today, and plenty of time for Q & A since middle schoolers are quite curious :) There would be no lift from you other than your presence on a video call (slides would be useful but not required). If you are interested, take a moment to fill out this google form and I will be in touch! Thanks so much!

    2 Comments
    2024/12/01
    14:34 UTC

    18

    Starting a Crime Scene Tech job in 4 days, any tips?

    I'm starting my first crime scene job in 4 days and have little to no info on what to expect aside from what I learned in school. I've seen and handled bodies before (family members own a funeral home), but want to know if there are any things that made your job as a CST/CSI easier that I wouldn't think of at the start. Suggestions for shoes and clothing would be helpful, too, I'll be in a desert-type area of the SW USA.

    Thanks!! :)

    12 Comments
    2024/12/01
    03:21 UTC

    8

    Career Help

    i’m a senior in hs going to college for forensics and was wondering what jobs allow help for homicide investigations and what steps should i do in order to get these jobs

    16 Comments
    2024/11/30
    18:01 UTC

    2

    Tests on facial reconstruction

    Hi,

    I hope this is the right place to ask my rather stupid question.

    Has there ever been a study, or experiment rather, where somebody reconstructed the face of a person whose photograph we have? I only found one picture in the wikipedia article on facial reconstruction, but I'm curious to know if maybe somebody tested the works of multiple reconstructioners working on the same skull against each other or a photo or maybe even realistic painting of that person.

    0 Comments
    2024/11/29
    22:41 UTC

    68

    What does a human decomp smell like? (Compared to other animals)

    I received an official offer for a crime scene tech position and I start in 2 weeks! The thing that has me most concerned is smelling decomps. I can handle the sights, but the smell is what worries me, especially because I know it lingers.

    I felt like it was fate yesterday, because a giant vulture dropped the rotting corpse of an opossum in my backyard 😭. My boyfriend offered to pick it up and throw it away for me but I said no, I need the experience (lmao). It smelled…pretty nasty, but not too unbearable. There were maggots and flies still on it, and it was partially skeletonized from the vultures picking at it. I know that human decomps probably smell way more overwhelming, but I was wondering how comparable they are to another animal rotting? I would at least like to have some idea of the smell before I have to go to a real decomp scene.

    57 Comments
    2024/11/29
    21:06 UTC

    1

    Forensic Friday - [11/29/24]

    Welcome to our weekly discussion thread about forensic science!

    Forensic Scientists and Professionals! What's going on this week?

    Use any of the following as a prompt if you need to

    • What do you do?
    • What kind of work are you doing?
    • Are you doing any new kinds of analyses?
    • What is your work week like?
    • Do you have crazy stories from the field/lab? Tell us!

    Remember! Don't reveal identifying info on decedents or victims. Change names or use nicknames if you must.

    Students! How's school?

    Use any one of the following as a prompt if you need to

    • What degree are you pursuing?
    • What are you learning about?
    • Have you learned something new and/or exciting?
    • Are you involved in research?
    • Is there anything about the field you'd like to know?

    Remember! Don't ask us to do your homework or assignments for you. We did the work and you have to do it too.

    If you are asking for education or employment advice, please read our subreddit guide first and then look at our resources in the sidebar. If what we have doesn't address your needs, you can ask us a question here! Let us know where you are and which country or countries you're considering for school.

    Don't know where to start when it comes to schools, programs, or degrees? Take a look at our subreddit wiki for a good rundown of what you should look out for.

    Confused by all the job titles, requirements, and worried about things like starting salary? Please take a look at this collection of posts from /u/Cdub919, one of our verified forensics members.

    Have questions for someone working in the field? Take a look at our list of verified forensics professionals. They are frequently tagged in comments and posts when mods or other community members see that their expertise is needed. You might reach out to them in a private message or chat if you need their help. Please be respectful of their time and advice and don't harass anybody for a response.

    TitleDescriptionDayFrequency
    Education, Employment, and QuestionsEducation questions and advice for students, graduates, enthusiasts, anyone interested in forensicsMondayBi-weekly (every 2 weeks)
    Off-Topic TuesdayGeneral discussion, free-for-all thread; forensics topics also allowedTuesdayWeekly
    Forensic FridayForensic science discussion (work, school), forensics questions, education, employment advice also allowedFridayWeekly
    0 Comments
    2024/11/29
    13:00 UTC

    4

    Help with nomenclature for ease of research (wounds inflicted by victim on their attacker)

    I'm trying to research what kinds of scars a character might have, but I'm not sure how to phrase this to get results that apply. What would you call the wounds an attacker would sustain from their victim attempting to fight them off? When I search "defensive wounds", I only really get results pertaining to those that the victim would sustain, but "offensive wounds" seems to be more about attackers directly injuring themselves while attacking (ie. lacerations to the hands from their knife slipping, contusions to the knuckles from punching, etc.) Many thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction!

    2 Comments
    2024/11/28
    20:47 UTC

    6

    is being a forensics cleaner a good job during college?

    not a lot of places are hiring, and this seems like a well paying job with not much experience.

    would the hours conflict with my classes? also i haven't gotten my drivers license yet, would that be an issue? would i be able to balance a social life?

    5 Comments
    2024/11/28
    03:32 UTC

    0

    I'm writing a book on how a murder gets ruled as a suicide but I dont want to make it seem unrealistic.

    If anybody could help that'd be great.

    8 Comments
    2024/11/27
    00:30 UTC

    0

    Do heads ever decompose orange?

    I thought I saw a head in the trash can, i checked the next day and it wasn’t there lol. I saw something in my peripheral which appeared to be a head but I thought it was just me overthinking it ,so I didn’t check.

    11 Comments
    2024/11/26
    23:19 UTC

    4

    Forensic Psychology Club

    Hey! So, I am thinking of introducing a Forensic psychology club in my school. Hence I want some activities that I can conduct with the members. I found several interesting ones online; however, I would be grateful if you all would help me with more. Just for additional information, this club is for high school students. Thanks!

    2 Comments
    2024/11/26
    16:47 UTC

    1

    Off-Topic Tuesday - [11/26/24]

    Welcome to our weekly general discussion thread!

    Feel free to chat with your fellow forensically-minded redditors about anything! Introduce yourself, show us pictures of your cat, complain about your kids, lament about exams/work, tell us what you're eating today... whatever you want!

    Here are a few resources that might answer your questions:

    A subreddit wiki with links and resources to education and employment matters, archived discussions on more intermediate topics in education and employment, what kind of major you need, what degree programs are good, etc.

    TitleDescriptionDayFrequency
    Education, Employment, and QuestionsEducation questions and advice for students, graduates, enthusiasts, anyone interested in forensicsMondayBi-weekly (every 2 weeks)
    Off-Topic TuesdayGeneral discussion, free-for-all thread; forensics topics also allowedTuesdayWeekly
    Forensic FridayForensic science discussion (work, school), forensics questions, education, employment advice also allowedFridayWeekly
    0 Comments
    2024/11/26
    13:00 UTC

    10

    Tips on getting rid of the smell of decomp

    Does anyone have any tips on how to stop smelling decomp? Even after I’ve showered and changed, I’ve noticed that it tends to linger in my nostrils. Even hours later, I’ll cough and there it is again! Is there something that I can do or do y’all just ignore it until it eventually goes away?

    18 Comments
    2024/11/26
    03:11 UTC

    2

    Education, Employment, and Questions Thread - [11/25/24 - 12/09/24]

    Welcome to our weekly thread for:

    • Education advice/questions about university majors, degrees, programs of study, etc.
    • Employment advice on things like education requirements, interviews, application materials, etc.
    • Interviews for a school/work project or paper. We advise you engage with the community and update us on the progress and any publication(s).
    • Questions about what we do, what it's like, or if this is the right job for you

    Please let us know where you are and which country or countries you're considering for school so we can tailor our advice for your situation.

    Here are a few resources that might answer your questions:

    TitleDescriptionDayFrequency
    Education, Employment, and QuestionsEducation questions and advice for students, graduates, enthusiasts, anyone interested in forensicsMondayBi-weekly (every 2 weeks)
    Off-Topic TuesdayGeneral discussion, free-for-all thread; forensics topics also allowedTuesdayWeekly
    Forensic FridayForensic science discussion (work, school), forensics questions, education, employment advice also allowedFridayWeekly
    0 Comments
    2024/11/25
    14:00 UTC

    0

    I’m writing a film I wanted to know of real life instances where an initially ruled out murder gets proven as suicide eventually. The case should involve a blade but no multiple stab wounds. Even if not an actual case how does one go by it?

    I meant a suicide that gets ruled as murder*

    I’ve looked everywhere but I can’t find an answer if you can help would be so helpful thank you….

    10 Comments
    2024/11/25
    04:13 UTC

    10

    Can forensic pathologists get jobs in any major city?

    I am a pathology resident considering different subspecialties. I like the nature of forensic path but was wondering the geographic flexibility of the field.

    I was told that job postings are regularly on NAME (https://www.thename.org/employment-opportunities). But looking at their list, there are a lot of major US cities not on there. If for example I am interested in living in Washington DC/NOVA, will that not be an option for forensics? Are there job postings not on the NAME website? Thanks.

    7 Comments
    2024/11/24
    20:35 UTC

    3

    Where to look for positions?

    Hello!

    I recently graduated with a degree in Forensic Science and a minor in Anthropology. I have also completed an internship. However, I've been really struggling to find listings for places to apply or to find positions for which I have enough experience. It's starting to get a little disheartening with all of the effort I have been putting in just to get turned away each time. I know that this is a very competitive field and that is what I signed up for, but wow is it a hit to my self-esteem. Please comment if anyone has any advice on how to make myself stand out or any other places to look for listings. I appreciate it very much and thank you in advance.

    7 Comments
    2024/11/24
    20:24 UTC

    4

    College Advice

    Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to read this. I recently got accepted to IU Indianapolis to major in forensic and investigative sciences. What got my attention about this programs is that it is FEPAC accredited and heard good things about it. My main question is if anyone has had experience through this program and if they recommend it? How are the classes, professors, job outlook etc. and if the program and major itself is worth the four years? This would really be a base for me as I hope to someday work towards a PhD. I also applied for forensic majors at Loyola, Penn state, and Syracuse.

    Thank you in advance for responding and I would really appreciate your opinion on this program.

    2 Comments
    2024/11/24
    17:44 UTC

    4

    CSI Poison Testing Project

    Hello there!! I myself am a true crime enthusiast and my step daughter has shown an interest in CSI/forensics. She is ten and for her research project in her science class they have to do a research paper and a project showing the scientific method (she is in a gifted school with accelerated curriculum). She wants to do hers on crime scene investigation and testing for different types of poisons. I am having a hard time thinking of examples she can use and bring in that would actually be allowed to be brought into a classroom for her demonstration. So far all I have really come up with is Tylenol poisoning, lead, and antifreeze. Can anybody help give some suggestions? It would be much appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

    7 Comments
    2024/11/24
    16:59 UTC

    0

    what do I do?

    For people who are in the field, I have always wanted to be someone who can figure out what happens at crime scenes or find out what made the people kill. I'm not sure what to go into job wise to do this. does anyone know?

    8 Comments
    2024/11/24
    14:03 UTC

    2

    how do you do it?

    working with dead, sometimes mangled or mutilated bodies every day.. how do you do it? i mean, the trauma of seeing people in decomposition, with severe injuries, kids who are terribly abused, etc.

    13 Comments
    2024/11/24
    01:14 UTC

    4

    Knife Wounds

    I've seen in many episodes of Forensic Files where they are able to determine the shape and size of a knife/weapon that had been stabbed into somebody. I'm very curious how this works? With size, I assume they measure the wound somehow, but how about shape? I assume they wouldn't make a mold of the wound, haha. Do they scan it?

    9 Comments
    2024/11/23
    21:15 UTC

    2

    Does GSR deteriorate over time??

    I’ve been watching the ATL YSL case and I’m curious if GSR collected within a timely fashion deteriorates over time. The state alleged a shot was fired inside a car to shoot a victim in another car. The headliner was collected from the vehicle where the alleged shot was fired I think within a week (in mid March). The headliner wasn’t tested until late June though and the test came back negative for GSR (threshold 1 particle). Is it possible that sealed evidence deteriorated so much to bring a negative result with such a low threshold?

    I’m sure this is dependent upon a few things…I’m asking best case scenario- nothing done to clean headliner, not touched etc is the sealed evidence expected to stay completely intact for 3+ months?

    4 Comments
    2024/11/23
    15:32 UTC

    0

    Anyone looking for interns?

    You don't have to pay me! I'm a BS Biology, major in Mol Bio and Biotechnology and I am a research enthusiast who just wants to spend her free time writing academic reports/journal reviews, mostly about climate science, genetics, and marine forensics.

    For my experience, I did microbiology laboratory and now I'm writing a thesis on fish behavior.

    If anyone needs help to write their data or report their results, I'm willing to be your intern. Thank you!

    4 Comments
    2024/11/23
    10:45 UTC

    2

    Writing a detective story. Question about national DNA database and collection?

    I'm writing a story about a serial killer who has evaded capture.

    General question. Let's say a serial killer has never had a run in with the police/no prior arrests and they leave DNA at a murder scene. Is it difficult to match the killer's DNA sample if it doesn't match/isn't logged in the police crime database?

    For example, I'm assuming the police don't have DNA samples on every law abiding person. So if a random law abiding citizen suddenly starts killing people, is their nothing to match their DNA to?

    3 Comments
    2024/11/23
    02:57 UTC

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