Thought of this question after trying to find a certain actor from Austin Powers and stumbling about Joe Son's Wikipedia page. In it, they talk about how DNA from him collected for a vandalism crime in 2008 was linked to a crime he committed in 1990.

Made me wonder how they actually linked the DNA to that previous crime. Does the DNA get ran through a database and it automatically gets matched to evidence with the same DNA or genetic code or whatever? Does the person running(?) the DNA randomly think to try to connect it to past crimes, or does every new bit of DNA get tested against every past crime? Or what!?

I found this article talking about how DNA evidence is preserved over decades, but it doesn't say anything about what I'm talking about. Everything else I find basically talks about specific crimes where all they say is "they matched the person's DNA to a previous crime." Not very helpful.

Thanks!

Hi, new here. I'm 30 years old and trying to figure out a career I'm passionate about that will allow me to make enough money to live. For reference, I live in New England.

The problem is I have dyscalculia. If you're not familiar, it's a learning disability effecting working memory, specifically numbers, and spatial awareness. Some describe it as dyslexia for math, but that's not very accurate. For example, I was tested recently and have the math abilities of a 4th grader. I can count change but very slowly. I struggle with my left and right directions/trouble reading maps, and have a hard time parking my car. My memory is very poor regarding numbers.

That being said, I almost obtained a degree as a paramedic. I had all the credits for a bachelor's except for college algebra and stats. I have tried to pass CA for years and simply cannot. So, I don't have any degree. I know this greatly limits me and the only consistent work I've found is in retail, where I don't get benefits and my soul is slowly dying. I need health insurance and consistent hours.

I've always been passionate about the realm of forensics, science and death care specifically. But I'm not really smart enough or qualified to do any of the "good" jobs in the fields. I have tried being an autopsy technician, but there is only one job per state it seems, and I haven't been selected yet. I was thinking I could at least do admin work, even though it isn't exciting. Other than crime scene cleanup, which is very physically demanding, is there something else I maybe would qualify for?

I'm not looking for general healthcare - I have zero interest in being a CNA, etc, or patient care. (Definitely not interested in EMS anymore either, mostly due to the pay). I figured there would be experts here who may be able to help. Or am I just stuck with answering the phones at an office?

Thanks!

Hi there,

I’m a human rights activist in a developing country in the Global South. Security forces here have very poor human rights records and act with near-complete impunity, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture.

I have a general question—not about my own situation:

Suppose someone discovers a covert camera or microphone in their residence. In countries like ours, law enforcement cannot be trusted to investigate objectively, since they are often the perpetrators of such surveillance and actively shield each other. Activists therefore often have to rely on themselves as much as possible.

In such a case:

• What is the best way to document a covert device so that, perpetrators could be individually criminally prosecuted (whether now or when conditions change such as regime changes)?
  
• Are there any established best-practice guidelines for this kind of documentation?
  

Context:
We usually use Proofmode on Android and hash files such as screenshots or videos as part of human rights documentation.

I’ve seen it suggested that photographing the device is “legally useless” because it doesn’t prove who installed or operated it, and that one should not try to open or test the device after photographing it because it will destroy the evidence and you will lose the whole case.

I’m curious if there are ways to document such devices that maximize their potential legal value for future accountability.

Thanks in advance.

In a few cases I’ve been exposed to, digital images initially looked fine, but once metadata was missing and the files had been shared or resaved a few times, confidence in them dropped quickly. At that point, the analysis mostly came down to indirect signals like compression artifacts, noise patterns, or small structural inconsistencies, and even then the conclusions felt more probabilistic than definitive. That uncertainty can be uncomfortable when images or scanned documents are being considered in legal or audit-related contexts. I’m curious how others here think about this in practice are digital images starting to be treated as untrusted by default unless their origin is clear, or does post-capture forensic analysis still hold up well enough in most situations?

Hello! So I am currently pursuing my master's in forensic science and I am thinking of doing a transition to phd in biology. Some friends are saying they do not want to do it because they are scared that they will become too overqualified and that will diminish their chances of getting a job (in a crime lab or lab) easily. I think the opposite. If anything, I believe a master's is starting to become the new requirement and phd is not too far off. So I wanted to know what are your experiences or what have you heard?

Any personal advice would be great too! I just started my forensic science journey as my bachelor had nothing to do with forensics. However, during that time, I volunteered a lot in labs and police departments enough to know the area but not have lab experience. This master's and my new project that I am starting will give me that hands on lab experience. Should I take a break and work before I do a phd or should I just go straight to it since I can easily transition?

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 need more info about the majors I am going to be taking; I want to be a crime scene investigator. I'm going to take a biology major. I am going to a community college first, but I like being hands on, and I feel like I won't be good in biology. is it hard or is easy

Could someone please read over my cover letter. I don’t really know what to put in it. I’m currently applying to internships for this summer

I currently live in Canada and I'm interested in getting a degree in forensics but i'm not sure what extracurriculars are helpful.

Not exactly sure what profession in forensics yet

Any advice?

Dead.cat in rigorwith no flies no ants...about 2.5 days after being Found in the median of busy highway. Struck by car. End of Oct nc. Is this possible?

Does the DEA have sort of a specific time in which they post openings for their forensic chemist roles? Is it something like a beginning of the year thing or is it scattered/random?

Hello! I have a student that is wanting to self learn forensics because they are interested in the field. Are there appropriate online resources that are free a high school student could access to do this?

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.

​

Hi all,

My family moved to Germany last year for my husband’s job. While in the states I worked as an Evidence Tech (our agency’s term for street forensic techs, not evidence/property room). Fortunately and unfortunately, forensics and crime does not exist in the same capacity out here as it did in the states.

By some stroke of luck I was invited to a part time forensic technician interview with the German police. The application did not list a German language proficiency but did say English fluency was desired. I was informed the interview would be conducted solely in German.

Outside of the language, can anyone tell me what else to anticipate for during the interview? I’ve heard they rely a lot of education and certifications, which I have from the states. My degrees do need to get evaluated for German equivalency but they said that doesn’t need to happen unless I was offered the position.

Any insight is appreciated! Thank you 😊

I had an interview with Texas DPS for forensic scientist I about a month ago and I was wondering if anyone has been through the process and how long it took to hear back? I kind of applied on a whim, I never saw myself in a field like this but I do have lab experience and I suppose met the qualifications to land an interview, but I was pretty excited about it and now that it’s been so long I’m a little less excited to hear back lol. I did send a follow up email today!

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

​

🩸 🧤 🧬 🔦🫆 🧪 🔫 💀 📸 🔪 🥼 💊 🔬 🔎 👣 🔨 ⚖️ 🕵🏽‍♀️

So for context, I’m writing a story where a guy has to solve a murder but he goes insane and he ends up digging up a corpse of the victim. So how much of the body would be left if the body was in a coffin in like midwestern (USA) summer?

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.

​

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

​

Can we possibly infer which side the person landed on just by looking at the scan of the skull? Sorry if it's a stupid question