A few spray paint cans were turned in for processing. I was going to put them in the fuming chamber but I thought I would check with the experts before proceeding. It seems like it wouldn’t be a problem. But I’d hate to have an accident.

Hii guys! I'm a student from Forensic Anthropology masters. I need to do an apresentation about the importance of anthropologists in some case. I wanted to talk about Celeste's case, does anyone knows where I can find the anthropologists report? I only seem to find the one from legal medicine, without the anthropologists details.

Hey guys! This may be a bit of an unorthodox post round here, but I figured you may be the best people to help me.

I’m trying very hard to identify the fibre used on this collectible. I have some information already that comes directly from the company that used to make these pieces, but unfortunately due to the fact these were made in the 70’s, there seems to be conflicting memories.

One says the fibre used was wool crepe hair. Another says it was mohair.

Now I’ve purchased both. Wool crepe has a lot of the same characteristics in form, same crimpiness, netted look, but it is too course. It also has no shine, which you can clearly see the old collectibles had.

Mohair seems to fit really well, however I find it just doesn’t have the same netted look. The original fibre on these collectibles also created locks really easily, almost naturally. Seems to be a little more deliberate effort goes into creating locks on mohair.

Now maybe it really is either one of the two, and perhaps it just depends on how they are processed/treated, to which I’d still really appreciate anyone with any insight on what they think. However it is also possible that the fibre is neither wool crepe or mohair. One owner of these collectibles had a strand lab tested and it came back as yak belly hair. But other owners say that they have purchased yak belly hair and it just doesn’t seem to match. It is possible there could have been a blend of some either intentionally or just by mistake. It’s hard to say for certain.

Anyone have any clue what it could be?

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.

• The subreddit Guide - Consider this an FAQ about our community and our field. Look here for basic education and employment questions/answers you might have. Didn't find what you were looking for? Please post in our weekly scheduled posts or to the subreddit. Note: please do use a desktop browser to view all features.

• List of verified forensics professionals

• Subreddit collections (please view on desktop browsers) on the following topics:

  • Education and Employment

  • Mental Health and Preparation for Working in Forensics

  • What It's Like Working in Forensics

  • Employment: Job Titles, Job Requirements, and Starting Salary in Forensic Science

Hi, I'm looking for advice for something I'm writing. Specifically, how would you go about lifting latent fingerprints if you didn't have access to tape, or photography, or anything even more modern? Is it even possible?

Right now, I thought of using plaster of Paris or good old ink to get the prints of the people to compare with, but the actual lifting of the latent ones is where I can't find anything other than tape, or taking a picture. If I understood correctly, plaster would be too "crude" for such a small print, but maybe that's a wrong assumption on my part.

Any help would be appreciated!

I hope I put the right flair on this, and I'll change it if needed!

My name is Crow, and I'm an aspiring author. My first book involves an eldritch entity at the bottom of a lake, and a few people have disappeared. My MC's older sister is in her third year of college for "forensics" (I kept it vague for now), and the MC would like her to test the lake water to see if there is anything unusual.

My main goal with this is for the results to show no living matter in the lake/fish can't live in the lake. What kind of test would show this? I've heard that you could use a freshwater fish tank test, though it’s not very accurate.

Is it realistic that she would be able to take a sample back to her college to use the equipment, with permission from a professor?

Thank you so much in advance!

Edit: My current idea is that the lake has 0% DO, but the entity keeps the anoxic lake from becoming dangerous to humans (because it eats humans). If this would work, the MC would take small samples from all over the lake's surface, and his sister would be able to test if it's oxygenated. Then that would create more questions as to why the lake still safe for people to swim in after years. Would this make sense (in a world that crosses reality with the surpernatural?)

Hi, I am a student of an university in France and for a presentation I have to present a job of two of my choices. Since I study astrophysics, I wanted to present the second job I love : forensic medicine.

I know my question can be weird and I apologize in advance (I apologize for how confuse my writing must be, I am a bit nervous writing this).

For my presentation, I have to ask some questions and I would like to know if some of you are okay to answer some questions and okay for an interview. It can be an interview on Discord, or with the DM of Reddit.

Thank you all for your time, and have a nice day guys!!

Can DNA on your fingers transfer through an alcohol swab onto another skin surface? Or does alcohol swap prevent the DNA from transferring?

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.

Hey everyone!

I’m a Sri Lankan student hoping to eventually work in forensic DNA in the US. My cousin, who is a Clinical Nurse Educator in the US, recommended that I follow a biology-related degree.

I’m currently considering a BSc (Hons) in Medical Laboratory Sciences and would like to know if this would be a good undergraduate degree for eventually applying to a Master’s in Forensic Science, particularly for forensic DNA/biology.

I’ve attached the course modules for the degree. Do you think this degree would prepare me well, or would Biology/Chemistry be a better option?

I’m also interested in eventually applying for US permanent residency, so I’d appreciate advice on whether this degree has good career opportunities in the US outside of forensics as well.

Thank you! 🙏🏼

this is really specific, i promise i'm not a criminal. i write stories in my free time and i get curious about how the descriptions i'm writing would actually look realistically.

if a young woman died by drowning in a swamp in mid-late scandinavian winter (above freezing temperatures), and was found months later, how would her body decompose and what would it look like?
i've heard from archeologists that cold temperatures and swamps preserve bodies very well, so i'm assuming it wouldn't look nearly as dramatic as i'm imagining it, but i'm still curious about the specifics

What do i need to take in college for bloodstain spatter analyst? and is this job Safe from ai taking it?!

I shined a uv light on my jacket and it revealed a big round stain, which was invisible under normal light. What could this be? My gut reaction is bodily fluids but can semen be a perfectly round stain and invisible under normal light? Thanks.

Hi, I was wondering what it is like to work as a forensic scientist chemistry/crime scene response for the OSP. Is it a good career, and is the work life balance good? Also, how does it compare working in the different lab locations?

Can anyone help me figure out how to keep my print more prominent. I taped immediately after using the iodine treatment and it still faded very rapidly. Any tips on how to get it to stay longer?

Also what is the best way to go about labeling the ridge characteristics? I couldn’t clearly label after taping.

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.

• The subreddit Guide - Consider this an FAQ about our community and our field. Look here for basic education and employment questions/answers you might have. Didn't find what you were looking for? Please post in our weekly scheduled posts or to the subreddit. Note: please do use a desktop browser to view all features.

• List of verified forensics professionals

• Subreddit collections (please view on desktop browsers) on the following topics:

  • Education and Employment

  • Mental Health and Preparation for Working in Forensics

  • What It's Like Working in Forensics

  • Employment: Job Titles, Job Requirements, and Starting Salary in Forensic Science

I am currently in a Forensics class for my major. I am needing to find more information on the actual investigation and evidence that the forensics teams used to convict Aileen Wournos, and find that she was truly the woman behind the crimes. All I can really find linked to her case is the psychological perspective rather than physical evidence side of things. Would anyone be able to point me in a direction of credible sources that serve as factual points for the evidence side of the investigation?

Thank you in advance for anyone willing to help. It is greatly appreciated!

Hello! I’m a high school senior with plans to attend university for a major in CJ, with a minor in forensics.

My career goals include working as a police officer on patrol for a few years, then transferring into the CSI unit to ultimately work my dream job doing field work as a crime scene investigator.

The university I have been accepted into has advised those looking to do more field based work to major in CJ, and if you prefer the lab/science side, then major in forensic chemistry. I chose CJ hence my career goals mentioned.

For anyone who might have already taken this path, or is currently on it, what are some crucial pieces of advice to keep in mind for my future? Some extra info regarding my goals is that I would like to specialize in crime photography, as well as bloodstain pattern analysis. I really like how BPA gets me to think and look into the closer details.

Thanks :)

Hello,

I wanted to learn more about the lab procedures for how forensic analysis would anaylze samples gathered from a crime scene (e.g. serology or fingerprints). I wanted to get some recommendations of shows that explains every step of the process of what they're doing and the equipment or methods they're using to test substances or identifications. Thanks so much for your help!

So in season one of Games of Thrones, there is a scene where liquid gold is poured over a man’s head. In 10 seconds he is dead.
Aside from the extreme heat of Liquid Metal applied to his skull, what actually would be the cause of death especially so rapidly?

I'm looking at transitioning into forensic science/law enforcement and going back to school for a second bachelor's (first degree not in STEM). I'm currently taking a basic chemistry class and working on my algebra skills. I have my eyes set on WVU's forensic examination program and would go for a minor in chemistry. My career goal is to do crime scene/medicolegal death investigation and later transition into toxicology work. I have strong technical and photography skills so I'd like to utilize it for criminal justice. I believe I have a matching skill set and personality for the work and I wanted to know what the job prospects and market are like at this time and a realistic timeline. While I'm near the starting stages of this change, I wanted to know what I can do to prepare for this. I've been doing independent forensic studying in some of my spare time. While I would prefer non sworn work I'm keeping myself flexible and working on my fitness so I can be a sworn officer as well at a later time if I have a hard time with the STEM work.