r/forensics

Hello everyone! I am working on a book which heavily features a murder mystery. Beyond the cliches one can see in media and entertainment, however, I am not very knowledgeable in such things. I tried to search for my own, but I must not know the correct terminology to use since I am not finding an answer to the question.

I have two questions here:

1. After investigators discover the body in a crime scene, generally for how long will the body be kept there as part of the investigation, before being sent for autopsy and then to the morgue? What would the timeline, on average, look like here?
2. Similarly but more specifically, how would this have looked like in the past, when less technology was available and forensic sciences were less developed (past here meaning decades or centuries ago, but generally in the late 1800s or early 1900s as that's kind of the technology level of the story I am writing). I know this likely will have much less information and it is ok if you don't have an exact answer to it - answering the 1st one will already help me greatly by creating a timeline of events that is not too quick nor too short.

If there's anything missing in my post let me know, first time posting here.

Edit: thanks a lot for all of your responses; I really appreciate your time. I think I have a better (if still very amateurish) idea now from which to proceed to at least keep things believeable enough for a reader

Hello, I'm a student doing a career project, and i need to interview someone who is already in that career field (Forensic science) . Would you be interested in answering up to 10 questions?

1 ​What steps did you take to land this job?​

2 What skills were most critical in your early career?​

3 Walk me through a typical day. What parts excite you most?

4 What are the biggest challenges you face?

5 ​What new skills have you had to learn?

6 What changes do you see impacting this job in the next five years?

7 How do you stay motivated and continue growing in this position?

8 What advice would you give someone like me aiming for this role?

This section is for black South Africans (like me) cuz other races did not go through apartheid so it's optional

9 How did the segregation (apartheid) under the Group Areas Act affect the distribution and accessibility of forensic laboratories and resources to black students

10 In what ways did the educational inbalances caused by the Bantu Education Act impact past representation in scientific fields (how did you study while being restricted to only few resources and not being allowed to enter laboratories made for white people)

Starting training soon for a CSI position (Texas) and looking for some advice from people in the field.

I’m also trying to figure out what brands of tactical pants and boots are good for crime scene work.

For my first day, the department told me to wear:
Long pants/blue jeans
Polo or T-shirt with no graphics
Professional, but not too professional
No shorts
Comfortable shoes

They didn’t specify boots or a certain type of shoe.

I currently don’t own any boots. I have a pair of all-black Nikes that I wear for my current job. Would those be fine for the first day of training, or should I go ahead and buy a pair of work/tactical boots?

Also, what brands of tactical pants and boots do you recommend for CSI work?

Im asking because I want to go into forensics specifically working with deceased people, but I have my worries on going into this career as far as “spiritual” activity especially if I go into being medical examiner.

Do you get scared or chills working around them?
Do they stink?
Do you close their eyes when they arrive to the coroners office?
Do you ever get worried about what you may walk into (especially if it’s decomp, dismembered, or it’s a body that has been sliced, beaten, or shot badly)?
Do you ever get sad when you see kids especially kids who passed away due to abuse?

Edit: thank you guys for the tips they definitely do ease my worries.

I am a 1st year student of Bsc. Forensic science in Pune, Maharashtra. Can anyone help me figure out how I should find and apply for a summer internship for the same in Pune itself or in general. I have just started my first year but I want to shortlist a few establishments, startups or government, doesn't matter much, I just need experience.

Thank you!

​

Hello!I want to be a forensic Toxicologist when I'm older. Right now I'm a freshman in college majoring in an AS in biotechnology. I plan on transferring to a university for my BA in chemistry (The BA program automatically satisfies the 32 hour rule required by forensics boards). The area that I live in has tons of hospitals, clinics and labs so I think I have a chance (?). I'm honestly just nervous for the future. Do you think I have a chance so far? Anything helps

Hi,

I am looking to applying for MS in forensic science for the Fall 27 and was wondering which programs people found to offer the most funding whether that’s through research, TA, etc? I know this is dependent on my background but was just trying to compile a list of schools I can look into more in depth. TIA.

Hi!

I recently applied to a Latent Print Examiner position at Michigan State Police. After about two months of waiting, I was invited to do a preliminary phone interview! I just did that today. They asked 7 questions, all regarding the position and expectations. I believe I answered everything decently, but I definitely stuttered some words and had some awkward moments where I had to think about my response. Does anyone have advice/experience with getting a state government job similar to this? The guy told me that candidates chosen for an in person interview would hear back within 2 weeks. I won't be able to relax for those two weeks now!! I'm so anxious !!

Im curious about peoples reasons for choosing to be a medical examiner. Please give your most honest answer!

Did anything influence your decision?

What’s your reason for choosing a job centered around death when most people avoid it or choose jobs attempting to prevent it?

I’m trying to decide between two undergraduate degree paths and would really appreciate advice from people who actually work in forensic science. I have finally decided that I want to pursue a science related career. I’m primarily interested in the laboratory/analytical side of forensic science, rather than law enforcement, policing, or detective work. I’m currently considering:
Chemistry BA This would take approximately 7 semesters/3.5 years from where I am now because of the required math and chemistry sequence. Or Ethics, Justice & Society + Investigative Forensics minor This would take approximately 5–6 semesters/2.5–3 years. I would also have some elective credits that could be used toward chemistry/science prerequisites for a forensic master’s program. So I’m potentially looking at only a 1–2 semester difference between the two options.

My hesitation is that I don’t want to choose the broader forensics route because it is faster, only to discover later that I don’t have enough chemistry coursework to qualify for the forensic laboratory jobs or graduate programs I want. I’m also interested in environmental chemistry/testing. I like the idea of field sampling, bringing samples back to a laboratory, performing chemical analyses, and doing research. Because of that, Chemistry appeals to me as a way of keeping both forensic and environmental options open.

I’m wondering if something like Chemistry BA + Investigative Forensics minor would be a particularly useful combination, assuming I can fit the minor into my degree without adding a significant amount of time.

For those working in forensic science:
-How much does the undergraduate major matter when applying for forensic laboratory jobs?
-Would you generally recommend Chemistry over a dedicated/broader forensic degree?
-What chemistry courses are particularly important for forensic lab work?
-Would a Chemistry BA + forensic minor be a strong combination?
-Are there forensic jobs where a Chemistry BA would qualify me but a broader justice/forensics degree would not?
-If you had to choose between the two paths and Chemistry only added 1–2 semesters, which would you choose?

I’d especially appreciate responses from people who work in forensic laboratories or have gone through the hiring process, rather than just students choosing their majors.

Hi, i’m currently in high school and are strongly considering to work within the field of toxicology. If so i will take a bachelor, possibly a masters degree in chemistry with specialization in toxicology.
However the dilemma for me is whether this field still has job prospects for the future in Europe. I’ve read more about people in this sub asking about job prospects in the us than Europe.
So, if anyone has some experiences with the European job marked it would be much appreciated! Also how quickly you began working after uni.

I’m REALLY struggling on trying to find what I want to do when I’m older as a 16yr-I really need some guidance. I know a job is a job and I won’t love it all the time but I’d like to at least like my job, there are a couple things that have hooked me that I realize I like, I like things that can be fast paced, require you to think and think outside of the box, this is important-not just desk work, a mix of hands on/feild work and desk work would be the best, and I want tk be helping people I want to see the results of my help it’s really important to me. I’m scared I’m not smart enough to be a doctor or I’m glamorizing the job-this will sound so stupid but I feel like if I wasn’t a doctor or a surgeon I would feel like I was less than, then those who are because they do all the big work and actually save the patient-of I were a doctor I think Itd be hard for me to be a nurse but I’m also scared I’m just glamorizing the job because it would fulfill that part of me that wants a fast paced-stimulating environment where you work in team and it’s a very well smart field-(very competitive as well), why is this so hard 🥴 im also scared im glamorizing being a detective, so if you guys could tell me what your day to day work looks like id be so greatful. am I over or under thinking this also if you have any other career suggestions I’d gladly take them! Some other ideas im looking are at an environmental tech, conservation law enforcement, and a few others.

I’m currently employed as an MDI for a coroner’s office in a southern state and I’m trying to convince my boss to use an actual camera for body and scene photography.

I have experience in crime scene photography at a previous office and have offered to donate a couple of my used DSLR cameras to our office for use. My boss refuses to switch to them and to just use our work iPhones because “they’re too bulky” and “too much of a learning curve”. I offered to train the other MDIs free of charge on how to use them but he told me that “it will take too long.”

I feel like we also look less professional on scenes taking crime scene photos with an iPhone instead of a dedicated camera. Are there any arguments I can use to persuade him to using an actual camera or is an iPhone fine for taking scene and body photos?

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Does anyone on here work at the NYC OCME or know anyone who works there? Just one I would like my application to move past received. I know there are an influx of people who want to join so it’s hard to go through such a big pool every time a job goes up. What are you guys doing over there lol or just what are you guys looking for in someone's application? Does it also help to know someone who works there so you can get your foot in the door? Who do I have to talk to if so?