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Hello everyone, I usually lurk about in the Forensic Science forum, but I thought I'd let people know that due to popular requests by friends, I started doing CSI episode reviews. I do my reviews mostly looking at the good and the bad portrayals of the scientific testing performed in each...

The Q-Tip is the most common instrument used when performing the Kastle-Meyer test. Any blotter type object can be used, like filter paper. Basically you just need to be able to collect up some of the suspected blood material, and have a location to apply the chemical solutions for the test to...

For me LV has better "science". They seem to focus a lot more on the forensic science aspect of the investigation. The only problem I have with LV is that Grissom just knows everything - it's over the top. Miami for me though is much more entertaining. I can't wait for each new episode to...

If you don't mind me asking, what college did you enroll in? I thought NAU was the only major college in Arizona that offered a "Forensics" program.

That's fascinating. I've never heard about that, or read about that in the relevant scientific journals. You should definitely publish your experiment. Also please note that in real life situations, you will probably never come across baryum without lead in sufficient quantities for that to...

The sodium rhodizonate test turn red/pink in the prescence of lead. It turns blue/purple when a dilute (5%) hydrochloric acid solution is sprayed on afterwards. It doesn't react with baryum.

Your description of the phenolphthalein test is a common misunderstanding of the chemistry behind the test. The Kastle-Meyer test is not a pH test. As a matter of fact, the solution (if prepared properly) is basic (which would normally be "pink", acidic solutions turns phenolphthalein clear...

Some quick comments on Ryan, from someone who is a private criminalist - ie: sometimes works for the defense. When the defense community learns a criminalist is "in play", or considering leaving working for the state, they fast track to try and hire you. Not because they want a "liar for...

3 was the quote from the show.

gas chromatography mass spectrometer

One possible way to determine the speed of the motorcycle at the time of impact, from the given information, is to look for "speedometer needle slap". When a moving vehicle suddenly comes to a rapid stop, it's possible for the speedometer needle to hit the inside of the speedometer. Depending...

I don't think psychology would hurt, but there could possibly be other electives that would help you more in the forensics field - like public speaking or "drama". Anything that gets you out performing in front of a group of people so you don't get "stage freight" in front of the jury would help.

A Medical Examiner is a medical doctor who performs autopsies. A coroner is a politically based position who presides over a staff of doctors who performs autopsies. The coroner may have no medical knowledge themselves. Some states have a medical examiner system, some still use the coroner...

Where else would they work besides in the lab or outside the lab? "The field" is anywhere there is a crime - anywhere.

Hit your sciences hard, like physics, chemistry, and biology. Don't skimp on the math. I would also suggest some kind of public speaking course to prepare to testimony. Continue in college the same way. If your college doesn't have a forensics program, major in chemistry (not criminal...

I'm still waiting for an explanation as to how to determine the speed of the motorcycle...

The forensic sub-discipline (like firearms, DNA, toxicology, etc.) is actually Digital Evidence, or sometimes Computer Forensics.

This is absolutely true. If the headlamp was on while it collided with the car, and if it was broken, the lamp itself will react in different way to the rapid exposure to oxygen. If this reaction is present, it would be clear the headlamp was on or not. The second part of this quiz though, is...

It is a given that both vehicles were being used around the time in question. Assume the water in the radiator of the car can be related back to "normal operation temperature". Assume the cycle is air cooled.

There is no math or calculations required to determine the speed of the cycle.