• Question: i am thinking of becoming a forensic scientist is there any other fields related to that that you can sugest?

    Asked by fluffyduck01 to Carla, Madgie, Nick, Vicky, Werner on 20 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Vicky Forster

      Vicky Forster answered on 20 Nov 2013:


      Hey Fluffy,

      From my limited experience of forensics – I think it has a lot of genetics in it. Things like DNA analysis at serious crime scenes is now fairly routine, so any kind of core molecular biology type subject would probably be useful for forensics. I think genetics will become increasingly important in providing information about violent crimes.

    • Photo: Werner Muller

      Werner Muller answered on 20 Nov 2013:


      Forensic is a very broad area, DNA is a small part of it but the most successful approach to link a probe to a person. There are other areas as well. In Germany we have a “famous” biologist, as he plays his role also on the TV, who is an expert on insects. His speciality is to interpret the presence of insects at a crime scene. I have no idea how to learn such a skill.
      His name is Mark Benecke. He studied at the same university I did.
      http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Benecke (in German).

    • Photo: Marlene Lorgen

      Marlene Lorgen answered on 20 Nov 2013:


      I think Vicky and Werner have this covered. There is also another developing field of wildlife forensics. Using DNA from things such as animal food products, scientists can test that the product comes from the animal it claims it does. This can help detect poaching of protected species such as some whales and dolphins.

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